In 2025, eligible pregnant women will be able to receive the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The RSV vaccine is recommended for women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy and it protects their newborn from RSV.
RSV is a serious disease for newborn babies and it infects their nose, throat, and lungs. It is a leading cause of children going to hospital. Getting a vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk of severe RSV disease in infants less than 6 months of age by about 70%.
The inclusion of the RSV vaccine on the NIP is a step towards a consistent national approach to protecting infants from RSV in 2025.
Vaccinations will be available in 2025, the start date of the program will be announced as soon as possible.
