More than two decades of research, modelling and collaboration to develop safe and effective RSV immunisations has led to a major Federal Government roll-out of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation program for all pregnant women and newborn babies in 2025.
The world-leading approach, in partnership with each State and Territory, will give every baby born in Australia much needed protection against RSV in the lead-up to winter and keep 10,000 babies out of hospital each year.
Launched by Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler, the $174.5 million investment follows the success of WA’s state program that was introduced earlier this year.
Professor Chris Blyth, Head of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, applauded the announcement and the major, long-term impact the national program will have on young babies and their families.
“RSV infects the airways and lungs, and with no vaccines previously available for protection, newborn babies have been at high risk of life-threatening complications such as severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia,” Professor Blyth said.
“The virus sends 3.6 million children to hospitals worldwide each year, including 650 – 800 right here in WA, so we have spent last 20 years not only working with international collaborators to develop safe and effective RSV immunisations, but also providing evidence to demonstrate the impact of a targeted vaccination program.
“This work guided the launch of the WA program in April this year and saw 23,000 babies protected against RSV – including 80 per cent of all newborns, and 66 per cent of babies in the ‘catch-up’ cohort going into their first winter season.
“Our results show that RSV immunisation reduces the risk of being hospitalised with the virus by more than 80 per cent and has seen an overall 60 per cent reduction in hospital admissions – significantly reducing the number of babies becoming seriously unwell from RSV and lessening the pressure on our health system throughout the busy winter period.
“I am extremely pleased to see that our research has now translated into a nationwide immunisation program that will benefit so many Australian families – we have been working towards this for many years and it is certainly something our researchers should be very proud of,” Professor Blyth said.
Read the Minister’s announcement online here.