- The Miles Government's $31 million Respiratory Syncytial Virus immunisation program launches today (Monday 15 April).
- The program will be offered for free to more than 70,000 newborn babies, eligible infants, and young children.
- Based on recent Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice, eligible criteria for the program has been expanded to include all infants born on or after 1 February 2024
- RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation among infants and young children.
The Miles Government's free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation program launches today (Monday 15 April).
The $31 million immunisation program is rolling out ahead of the 2024 winter season to protect newborn babies, eligible infants and young children from developing serious illnesses caused by RSV.
Queensland's newborn babies are the first cohort to receive the free immunisation.
All public and private birthing hospitals across Queensland have now received their first supply of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved monoclonal antibody product nirsevimab.
The Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital is one of the first facilities to offer immunisation of newborn infants against RSV, with all birthing facilities starting to offer the program over the coming weeks.
RSV immunisation will be offered to newborn babies prior to discharge from hospital.
The program will be rolled out to more than 70,000 newborn babies, eligible infants, and young children in a phased approach, with other eligible infants and young children able to access the program from the end of April 2024.
Almost all children will experience at least one RSV infection by the time they turn two, and RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation among infants and young children due to serious illness and complications, such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
In 2023, there were 2,518 infants and young children less than two years of age hospitalised with an RSV diagnosis.
These hospital admissions accounted for more than 5,000 occupied paediatric bed days, of which 3,525 were for infants under one year of age.
From 1 January to 7 April 2024, 9,328 cases of RSV have been recorded in Queensland. More than 2,900 cases were recorded among children under two years of age.
Last year, nearly 29,000 RSV cases were recorded. Of these, 9,703 cases were recorded among children under two years.
Due to limited global supply of nirsevimab, Queensland's immunisation program will ensure infants and young children at highest risk of severe disease from RSV are protected at the right time.
In line with Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice on 26 March 2024, the eligibility for Queensland's RSV immunisation program has been updated to include all infants less than 3 months of age.
ATAGI identified infants less than 3 months of age are at increased risk of severe disease from RSV.
The following infants and young children are eligible for free RSV immunisation:
- All newborn infants
- This will be offered as a dose at birth or prior to discharge from hospital.
- Infants born on or after the program commencement date who are not immunised in hospital, can access this dose up until they are less 8 months of age.
- All infants born on or after 1 February 2024, up until less than 8 months of age
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants less than 8 months of age.
- Infants with certain complex medical conditions less than 8 months of age.
- Infants with certain complex medical conditions from 8 months up to 19 months of age (inclusive), until 31 October 2024.
Eligible children who did not receive RSV immunisation at birth can access the prevention product through GPs. Given limited supply, parents are advised to contact their local immunisation provider and make an appointment.
This 12-month program ends on 31 January 2025.
