Mothers and newborn babies in Australia will have access to free respiratory syncytial virus vaccines before next winter, following a WA-led campaign.
The Federal Government this week announced $174.5 million to provide pregnant mothers with free access to the maternal RSV vaccine Abrysvo under the National Immunisation Program.
National access to antibody treatment Beyfortus, which provides protection to newborns and young children, will also be rolled out across every state and territory.
In WA, about 1,000 babies are hospitalised with the virus each year and almost all infants will be infected with RSV before the age of two. Nationally around 12,000 babies are admitted to hospital with severe RSV each year.
The move was welcomed by the Immunisation Foundation of Australia and Royal Australian College of GPs which say it will help keep babies safe and reduce the cost of healthcare –with RSV vaccines often costing around $300.
The foundation was established by Catherine Hughes after the death of her son Riley from whooping cough in 2015. Following Riley’s death at Princess Margaret Hospital, the foundation has advocated for improved access to immunisation and vaccine confidence.
Its Unite Against RSV campaign has called for greater awareness of the risks of RSV and equitable access to immunisation.
WA has led the way nationally in the fight against RSV, becoming the first state to introduce an all-infant RSV immunisation program with Beyfortus this year.
During the 2024 RSV season, more than 23,000 young children received the vaccine in WA, resulting in up to 84% fewer RSV-related hospitalisations in immunised newborns, compared to those who were not RSV protected, early analysis suggests.
Ms Hughes said the national program was a milestone for preventative health.
“RSV is the number one reason why Australian kids under five are hospitalised. This announcement is a relief for many expectant families and this program is likely to keep 10,000 Australian babies out of hospital each year,” she said.
“That’s 10,000 families who won’t have to watch and wait as their baby struggles to breathe in hospital.”
RACGP president Dr Nicole Higgins said the last thing that any new parent wanted was to go back into hospital with a sick baby.
“Immunisation is the best way to prevent infants from being hospitalised due to RSV, and that stress for new parents,” she said.
“Hospitalisation due to lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV is a bigger risk than many people expect. Around half of RSV notifications are of children under five and almost all infants will experience an RSV infection.”
According to the RACGP, there have been more than 165,000 RSV cases so far in 2024, up from 128,000 in 2023. Around half have been in children aged 0-4.
Vaccines for other respiratory conditions including whopping cough and influenza are already free for pregnant women on the NIP.