Free immunisation from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been made available to all newborn babies from last week. It will mean all newborn babies in NSW can be protected against serious illness from this virus, with an estimated 1,150 babies under six months of age avoiding hospitalisation for RSV in NSW each year. The news comes as rates of RSV begin to rise with the change of seasons, reaching a moderate level as at the latest Respiratory Surveillance Report. The NSW Government is expanding eligibility for infant immunisation from a more targeted vulnerable cohort. The NSW Government will offer nirsevimab, a type of monoclonal antibody immunisation to babies not protected by a maternal vaccination, infants at higher risk, and children up to two years old with certain medical conditions. The vaccine will be provided before hospital discharge. “RSV can be a serious illness in babies and young children, and I want to encourage parents to make sure their babies are protected, either through maternal vaccination or immunisation at birth with nirsevimab,” NSW Chief Paediatrician Dr Helen Goodwin said. “Nirsevimab is safe and effective. It provides antibodies directly to the infant, so they have immediate protection against RSV that lasts for five months.” Since February, pregnant women have been eligible for a free RSV vaccination (Abrysvo) which passes protection to their babies for the first fives months of life. Maternal vaccination for RSV is recommended for women between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. It is provided through the National Immunisation Program. “RSV can be very serious, and I know how stressful and anxiety-inducing such a condition can be for parents,” state health minister Ryan Park said. “It doubles the options for protection of newborns, either through maternal vaccination or infant immunisation. “This will keep babies out of hospital, and at home with their family.” With the combined coverage of free maternal vaccination and free infant immunisation, health officials hope that all newborn babies in NSW can be protected. RSV is a common cause of respiratory illness infecting up to 90 per cent of children within the first two years of life. It can affect anyone, but the infection is more severe in children under one year of age, who may develop bronchiolitis or pneumonia requiring hospitalisation. In NSW between 2016 and 2023, there were more than 52,000 hospitalisations with an RSV diagnosis, of which approximately 41 per cent were in children aged less than 1 year.
