Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

The RSV vaccine Abrysvo® is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for pregnant people. This vaccine helps protect newborns from RSV.

You can get this vaccine safely from 28 weeks of pregnancy. You can get this vaccine at the same time as other free vaccinations that are recommended during pregnancy.

These include vaccines for:

• pertussis (whooping cough)
• influenza (flu).

This vaccine helps protect newborns from RSV.

Abrysvo® is the only RSV vaccine approved for use in pregnancy.

Speak to your maternal care provider about getting Abrysvo® and other vaccines to protect your baby when they’re born. Immunisation providers may charge a consultation fee.

Beyfortus^TM (nirsevimab) is provided for free to eligible babies at the hospital where they are born.

Eligible babies include those born with risk factors for severe RSV disease.

Babies born on or after 1 January 2025 will also be eligible for Beyfortus^TM (nirsevimab) if their birth parent:

• did not receive the Abrysvo® vaccine while pregnant
• had the Abrysvo® vaccine less than 2 weeks before the baby was born.

RSV catch-up program for eligible infants and children

Should your baby be eligible and have not received Beyfortus^TM (nirsevimab) at hospital or at a Canberra Health Service (CHS) outpatient clinic, contact your maternal care provider for more information regarding eligibility for Beyfortus^TM (nirsevimab).

Eligibility for Beyfortus^TM (nirsevimab) is the same for babies born in New South Wales.

Beyfortus^TM (nirsevimab) is currently unavailable for private purchase throughout Australia.

Beyfortus^TM (nirsevimab) is approved for infants and children up to 2 years old.

RSV medication for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children may be at increased risk of severe RSV disease.

Contact your healthcare provider or Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services to see if your child under 2 years is eligible for Beyfortus^TM (nirsevimab).

Adults aged 75 years and over, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and over, can access an RSV vaccine for free under the NIP.

RSV vaccination is also recommended (but not funded) for people aged 60 years and over with medical risk factors.

Other people who can consider RSV vaccination are:

• people aged 60-74 years
• people aged 50-59 years with medical risk factors.

Talk to your GP or pharmacist to find out if these vaccines are right for you. A consultation fee may apply.