Date set for free RSV vaccine rollout

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalisation for infants in Australia, with around 12,000 babies admitted with a severe form of the virus each year – a quarter of whom end up in intensive care.
 
But there are hopes that number could drastically drop this winter, as the Federal Government pushes forward with its decision to fund the RSV vaccine for pregnant women.
 
Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler confirmed the Government’s $174.5 million investment into the National Immunisation Program (NIP), which will see the vaccine made available through general practices from 3 February.
 
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee recommended the vaccine be added to the NIP in June 2024. Since then, the Minister said Government has been working closely with the manufacturer to ensure adequate supply in the lead up to the 2025 winter season.
 
‘Today, we’re starting the roll out of the most comprehensive protection program for babies in the world, protection against RSV,’ Minister Butler said.
 
‘From the 3rd of February, pregnant mums will have access to this highly effective protection for their newborns completely free of charge.
 
‘So pregnant mums who are approaching that third trimester, should now think about organising appointments to go and see your GP or your community pharmacy to receive this vaccine.’
 
Queensland became the first state to fully fund the vaccine for pregnant women last December, which can cost up to $300 out of pocket.
 
Dr Ka-Kiu Cheung, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Antenatal and Postnatal Care, is based on the Gold Coast but cares for a number of cross-border families from New South Wales. She says she has seen firsthand how much of a deterrent cost can be.
 
‘It’s a really great initiative and it’s twofold,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘It’s a really important part of protecting newborns through being able to vaccinate mums. But the second part is it’s a really expensive vaccine. So even though it’s been available, talking to a lot of families about the availability and the recommendation hasn’t really translated to uptake because it’s so expensive. So, this is great.’
 
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright welcomed the announcement, saying it will ‘save lives’.
 
‘[This] is good news for families,’ he said. ‘There are so many things new parents have to think about, so this free RSV vaccine means one less worry for parents.
 
‘It will help keep babies safe and save expectant families money.’
 
A common virus, RSV can cause a range of respiratory illnesses, from a mild cold to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The hospitalisation rate is highest in infants under six months of age and increases again in late adulthood.
 
The RSV vaccine (sold as Abrysvo) received approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in March 2024. Pregnant women are recommended to receive a single dose in the third trimester, from 28–36 weeks gestation, to protect the infant via passive immunisation through the placenta.
 
Clinical trial data to date has shown the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any potential risks. In the phase 3 clinical trial, the maternal RSV vaccine reduced the risk of the infant being hospitalised for RSV by 68% within three months after birth and 57% within six months.
 
The data also shows a reduction in the risk of severe infant outcomes caused by the virus, including having low oxygen in the blood or the need for mechanical ventilation or admission to ICU, by 82% within 3 months and by 69% within 6 months after birth.
 
For convenience, pregnant women are being encouraged to book their RSV vaccine alongside their whooping cough vaccination in the third trimester.
 
With take up of the whooping cough vaccine around 80%, Minister Butler said the Government hopes there will be similar interest in RSV vaccination.
 
However, in cases where the opportunity is missed in pregnancy, the long-acting monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab sold as Beyfortus) for newborns will be available immediately after birth ‘completely free of charge’.
 
While it will be accessible Australia-wide, Minister Butler said rollout dates will vary in each state and territory due to the virus’ seasonal nature.
 
So far only South Australia has confirmed the vaccine’s availability, from 1 April.
 
In preparation for the rollout, Dr Cheung encouraged GPs to be proactive in anticipating the questions families are likely to have – from how the vaccine works, to any potential side effects and benefits.
 
‘As with any vaccination, whether it’s in pregnancy or the newborn period, often families have a lot of questions and things they like to raise,’ she said.
 
‘It’s balancing up, as always, with families potential side effects versus what can be quite a significant risk – 12,000 children hospitalised each year is not a small number by any means.’
 
Dr Cheung said it is important to include practice managers and any nursing staff in the discussion.
 
‘There’s so much to do now in pregnancy care, I often now template some of these recommendations into my antenatal consults so that you don’t forget, both for the nursing staff and the GPs,’ she said.
 
Just weeks away, Dr Wright assured that the RACGP will be working with the Federal Government to ensure the rollout happens as smoothly as possible.
 
‘This vaccine program is so important, and we need to get the logistics right,’ he said.
 
‘We now look forward to working closely with the Government so that practices receive the supply and distribution of vaccine, and no families face any delays. That way, we can make sure that as many women as possible get vaccinated.’   
 
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