RSV Vaccination

Respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV, is a common virus that affects the nose, throat and lungs.

For many people, RSV causes mild cold-like symptoms. However, it can cause more serious illness in babies, young children, older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions. RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, pneumonia, worsening of existing lung or heart disease, hospitalisation and, rarely, death.

RSV can affect people of all ages, but serious disease is more common in:

• babies, especially infants under 6 months of age
• premature babies
• older adults
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• people with chronic heart or lung disease
• people with weakened immune systems
• people living in residential aged care or with significant frailty

RSV vaccination is recommended during pregnancy to help protect babies after birth.

When given during pregnancy, the mother’s immune system produces antibodies that pass to the baby before birth. This helps protect the baby during the first months of life, when they are most vulnerable to severe RSV disease.

RSV vaccination is recommended in each pregnancy from 28 weeks’ gestation. The vaccine used in pregnancy is Abrysvo®.

RSV vaccination is also recommended for older adults, particularly those at higher risk of severe respiratory illness.

Government-funded RSV vaccination is available for eligible older adults, including:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 60 years and over

Other adults may also choose to have RSV vaccination privately, especially if they have medical conditions that increase their risk of severe RSV disease. Your doctor can discuss whether RSV vaccination is suitable for you.