RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – What parents need to know

What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can also cause more serious illness. Symptoms of RSV infection may include runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever or wheezing. RSV is easily spread, and most children will get an RSV infection by the time they are 2-years-old. While the majority will recover within a week or two, RSV infection can be dangerous for infants and young children, causing difficulty breathing, low oxygen levels and dehydration.

In Australia, RSV infection is the most common cause of infant hospitalisation because it can often progress to pneumonia (infection of the lungs) or bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) in very young children. Every year in Western Australia (WA), one in 30 infants is hospitalised with RSV during the winter illness season.

Why should you immunise your baby against RSV ?
The antibody in nirsevimab can prevent severe lung disease caused by RSV. Medical studies show nirsevimab to be about 80 per cent effective at preventing RSV-associated hospitalisation among infants entering their first RSV season and 90 per cent effective at preventing an admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Who is eligible for the RSV vaccine?
The below 4 cohorts are eligible for RSV immunisation under this program.

From 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024, the vaccine will be offered:

  • as a catch-up program for babies born from 1 October 2023 to 30 April 2024

  • to all Aboriginal children born from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2024

  • to some medically at-risk children in their second RSV season born from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 (your child’s doctor will advise you if your child should receive a dose).

In addition:

  • at birth to all babies born between 1 May and 30 September 2024

When is the best time to immunise your baby against RSV?

One dose of the nirsevimab vaccine protects babies for at least 5 months, which is the length of an average RSV season. Babies born during the RSV season (typically from May to September in WA) should receive a single dose of nirsevimab before leaving the birthing hospital.

Can nirsevimab be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines?

The RSV preventive antibodies in nirsevimab can be given at the same time as vaccines routinely recommended for infants and young children.

How can I learn more?