- The Crisafulli Government is investing up to $13.5 million to expand the free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation program.
- The expanded program will offer pregnant mothers free RSV immunisation to help protect newborn infants from severe illness.
- RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation among infants and young children.
The expanded program will immediately offer free RSV vaccination to expectant mothers to help protect their newborn infants.
The RSV vaccine Abrysvo can be safely administered to expectant mothers between 28 and 36 weeks of their pregnancy to provide newborn infants with protection against severe RSV disease from birth up to six months of age.
The expanded program builds on the $31 million RSV paediatric immunisation program already offering free immunisation to newborn babies, eligible infants and young children.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the expanded program is an important step in keeping children out of hospital.
"We know almost all Queensland children will experience at least one RSV infection by the time they turn two, with the virus the most common cause of hospitalisations among infants and young children," Minister Nicholls said.
"This year to date, Queensland has recorded more than 39,400 RSV cases across the state, with around 400 new cases currently recorded every week.
"While RSV can infect people of all ages, newborn babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to severe illness and may need to be admitted to hospital.
"The vaccine can reduce severe disease and decrease hospitalisation rates.
"It is an invaluable addition to the state's immunisation program to support the health of young Queenslanders."
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said the results of the RSV paediatric immunisation program were already being seen among infant hospitalisation rates.
"As of November 24 this year, we recorded 372 fewer hospitalisations among babies aged under six months this year compared to the same time last year," Dr Gerrard said.
"We know we can do better and that's why expanding the program is great news.
"This immunisation program is expected to continue alleviating pressure on paediatric health care services across Queensland.
"Based on current figures, we estimate the expanded RSV immunisation program will prevent around 960 hospitalisations among Queensland children next year during their first six months."
Dr Gerrard encouraged all pregnant women and parents of eligible children to take the opportunity to protect their child against RSV.
"If immunisation occurs during pregnancy, healthy babies will not need to be immunised against RSV themselves," Dr Gerrard said.
"Eligible infants and young children who are at the highest risk of severe RSV disease and not protected by maternal immunisation will continue to be offered immunisation through the RSV paediatric immunisation program," he said.
Queensland's expanded RSV immunisation program will roll out in advance of the national maternal RSV immunisation program, which commences ahead of winter 2025.
