Free RSV immunisation program launches today for newborn babies

•  The Miles Government’s $31 million Respiratory Syncytial Virus immunisation program launches today (Monday 15 April).
• The program will be offered for free to more than 70,000 newborn babies, eligible infants, and young children.
• Based on recent Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice, eligible criteria for the program has been expanded to include all infants born on or after 1 February 2024
• RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation among infants and young children.

The Miles Government’s free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation program launches today (Monday 15 April).

The $31 million immunisation program is rolling out ahead of the 2024 winter season to protect newborn babies, eligible infants and young children from developing serious illnesses caused by RSV.

Queensland’s newborn babies are the first cohort to receive the free immunisation.

All public and private birthing hospitals across Queensland have now received their first supply of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved monoclonal antibody product nirsevimab.

The Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital is one of the first facilities to offer immunisation of newborn infants against RSV, with all birthing facilities starting to offer the program over the coming weeks.

RSV immunisation will be offered to newborn babies prior to discharge from hospital.

The program will be rolled out to more than 70,000 newborn babies, eligible infants, and young children in a phased approach, with other eligible infants and young children able to access the program from the end of April 2024.

Almost all children will experience at least one RSV infection by the time they turn two, and RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation among infants and young children due to serious illness and complications, such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

In 2023, there were 2,518 infants and young children less than two years of age hospitalised with an RSV diagnosis.

These hospital admissions accounted for more than 5,000 occupied paediatric bed days, of which 3,525 were for infants under one year of age.

From 1 January to 7 April 2024, 9,328 cases of RSV have been recorded in Queensland. More than 2,900 cases were recorded among children under two years of age.

Last year, nearly 29,000 RSV cases were recorded. Of these, 9,703 cases were recorded among children under two years. 

Due to limited global supply of nirsevimab, Queensland’s immunisation program will ensure infants and young children at highest risk of severe disease from RSV are protected at the right time. 

In line with Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice on 26 March 2024, the eligibility for Queensland’s RSV immunisation program has been updated to include all infants less than 3 months of age. 

ATAGI identified infants less than 3 months of age are at increased risk of severe disease from RSV.

The following infants and young children are eligible for free RSV immunisation:

• All newborn infants
  • This will be offered as a dose at birth or prior to discharge from hospital.
  • Infants born on or after the program commencement date who are not immunised in hospital, can access this dose up until they are less 8 months of age.
• All infants born on or after 1 February 2024, up until less than 8 months of age
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants less than 8 months of age.
• Infants with certain complex medical conditions less than 8 months of age.
• Infants with certain complex medical conditions from 8 months up to 19 months of age (inclusive), until 31 October 2024.

Eligible children who did not receive RSV immunisation at birth can access the prevention product through GPs. Given limited supply, parents are advised to contact their local immunisation provider and make an appointment.

This 12-month program ends on 31 January 2025.

More information about RSV is available here.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles: 

“Every Queensland parent knows just how scary it is when your baby is sick.

“From today, we are providing our smallest Queenslanders with a free RSV immunisation, to help give them the best start in life.

“Cost cannot be a barrier when it comes to keeping Queensland kids safe.

“Queensland is leading the way and I really want to encourage all parents of newborn babies and eligible young children to head out and take advantage of this program.

“My Government will continue to invest in more and better healthcare.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

“I am thrilled that newborn babies across the state are now able to access protection from contracting RSV and developing serious illness. 

“We know that newborn babies are particularly vulnerable to serious illness from RSV and it’s so important we help them to stay healthy. 

“It’s why the Miles Government invested $31 million to fund the RSV prevention program for our most vulnerable young Queenslanders.

“More babies receiving this important immunisation means fewer babies in hospital and less pressure on our health system.”

Quotes attributable to acting Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall:

“Queensland Health appreciates the support from key stakeholders in commencing the rollout of this important immunisation program, following the launch of the free Meningococcal B vaccination program and the 2024 free flu vaccination program.

“We continue to see a steady rise in RSV cases across all age groups, with 1271 cases recorded in the week starting 1 April.

“This is very concerning as we are still several weeks away from the peak season of RSV and case numbers are likely to get much worse.

“RSV immunisation is a proven safe and effective way to reduce severe RSV disease in infants and young children and I encourage parents to make the choice their immunise their children.

“Like all immunisation programs, the RSV immunisation program is an important step towards reducing the risk associated with disease and keeping more children safe.

“As always, I continue to remind Queenslanders to maintain good hand hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when you’re sick. This will help to limit transmission of not only RSV, but also other respiratory illnesses also reaching their peak in the winter months such as flu and COVID-19.”

ENDS