Study suggests answer to reducing RSV hospital admissions

As the peak season for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) approaches, positive news has emerged out of Western Australia on how to reduce infections and hospitalisations among infants.
 
New research has found nirsevimab (sold as Beyfortus), a monoclonal antibody, is 88.2% effective in preventing RSV hospitalisation among young children. 
 
The study, led by researchers at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccine and Infectious Diseases at The Kids Research Institute Australia, investigated RSV-related hospital admissions following the introduction of the state’s funded immunisation program.
 
In 2024, the WA Department of Health led the way as the first Australian state to offer the free RSV immunisation program for all babies born throughout the winter season.
 
Lead author Dr Ushma Wadia said the findings indicate that the program has been ‘extremely successful’.
 
‘Western Australian researchers have had a long-term commitment to providing protection against RSV,’ she said.
 
‘More than 24,000 doses of nirsevimab were distributed throughout April–September last year, providing coverage to 85% of newborns and 66% of a “catch-up” cohort of babies in the lead-up to their first winter season.
 
‘Our team worked alongside WA Health to evaluate hospitalisation rates at Perth Children’s Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital and Joondalup Health Campus, and allowed us to become the first place in the southern hemisphere to successfully demonstrate the major impact of RSV immunisation in young babies.’
 
In Australia, RSV is a leading cause of hospitalisation in infants, with around 12,000 hospital admissions annually due to severe infection, with cases rising annually by an average of 146%.
 
The study also investigated the effect immunisation had on the severity of RSV cases and found nirsevimab recipients were 60% less likely to require oxygen or assistance with their breathing if admitted to hospital.
 
Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation Chief Executive Carrick Robinson said WA is setting a ‘new standard’ in this space with the approach easing pressure on both hospitals and families.
 
‘Through funding innovative initiatives like this, which have the potential to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families, as well as reducing the burden on the healthcare system, not only in WA but across Australia for years to come,’ he said.
 
Meanwhile, Professor Chris Blyth, Head of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases and Perth Children’s Hospital physician, said the study findings align with research outcomes in the northern hemisphere.
 
‘Researchers from the Wesfarmers Centre have spent the last two decades participating in global vaccine studies to develop safe and effective world-first RSV immunisations, so being able to see the outcomes of this work first-hand is certainly very rewarding for all involved,’ he said.
 
‘The data … can now be used as evidence to inform vaccine policy throughout the world, including in lower-income countries where morbidity rates for RSV are at their highest.’
 
RSV is responsible for 3.6 million children being admitted to hospital worldwide each year.
 
Last year, Australia experienced a record-breaking 175,786 RSV cases – the highest on record since the disease became notifiable in 2021 – with almost 50% of cases in children under the age of four.
 
To help protect mothers and their unborn infants, Australia rolled out its National RSV Mother & Infant Protection Program last month, with the aim to keep 10,000 babies out of hospital each year.
 
Pregnant women are eligible to receive the maternal RSV vaccine Abrysvo, from 28–36 weeks gestation, free of charge under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in a bid to protect newborn infants through passive immunisation.
 
While babies and infants at risk of severe RSV infection are eligible to receive Beyfortus (nirsevimab) free through state- and territory-funded programs.
  
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Abrysvo Beyfortus immunisation National Immunisation Program NIP nirsevimab RSV vaccine