The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has lauded the Federal Government's announcement of $174.5 million to provide free RSV vaccination during pregnancy to reduce the risk of hospitalisation of babies due to the virus.
The move will give free access to Abrysvo, a maternal RSV vaccine, under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), in line with a Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee recommendation in June. The vaccine typically costs families around $300.
This free vaccination program will also be supported by a federal, state, and territory program to provide unprotected infants with a free long-acting monoclonal antibody, Beyfortus (nirsevimab), which the RACGP welcomed in October.
There have been over 165,000 RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, cases so far in 2024, up from 128,000 in 2023. Around half – 82,000 – have been in children aged 0-4.
Around 12,000 babies are admitted to hospital with severe RSV each year, and the virus is likely the most common cause of hospitalisation for infants.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins praised the Government for taking action.
"This is a fantastic initiative that will help keep babies safe and save expectant families money," Dr Higgins said.
"We have been calling for governments to take action to keep babies safe from hospitalisation due to RSV, and parents deserve support to keep their new babies safe.
"The last thing any new parent wants is to go back into hospital with a sick baby. It's a big fear and a real source of stress for new parents. Immunisation is the best way to prevent infants from being hospitalised due to RSV, and that stress for new parents.
"Hospitalisation due to lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV is a bigger risk than many people expect. Around half of RSV notifications are of children under five and almost all infants will experience an RSV infection. It's important we do all we can to ensure their immune systems are ready, with around 12,000 babies every winter admitted to hospital with severe RSV."
RACGP President-elect Dr Michel Wright also welcomed the move and said the RACGP would work with the government to ensure practices receive the vaccines they need.
"Providing this vaccine for free under the national program will improve access to the vaccine, reduce the risk of serious infection in new infants, and help reduce the health costs that new families face," Dr Wright said
"We also encourage the Government to work with GPs and the RACGP to make sure practices receive the supply and distribution of vaccines their patients need.
"The efficacy and safety data for this vaccine during pregnancy and for monoclonal antibodies for newborns has been very reassuring.
"There are so many things new parents have to think about, so free immunisation against RSV means one less worry for parents."
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