2025 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infant and Maternal Immunisation Program
- From 3 February 2025, RSV vaccination will be available to pregnant women between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
- From 1 April 2025, RSV immunisation will be available to eligible infants and children born from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025. These dates will be extended for infants and children living in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
- RSV immunisations are safe and effective at preventing RSV.
- Once you or your child receives an immunisation for RSV, it will be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
- Important information for you to know:
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is a common virus that infects the airways and lungs. It spreads easily by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms of RSV include runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever and reduced appetite. It can also make breathing difficult and cause wheezing.
In Australia, RSV infection is the most common reason babies are hospitalised. Every year in Western Australia, 1 in 30 babies are hospitalised with RSV.
How can you protect your baby from RSV-related illness?
In Australia there are 2 options to protect your baby against RSV.
Option A (Abrysvo) is a maternal vaccination given to pregnant women between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy which protects infants from birth. Abrysvo was registered (external site) by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in March 2024 and is funded under the National Immunisation Program in 2025.
If you are pregnant, getting one dose of the maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo), between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, generates sufficient anti-RSV antibodies to cross the placenta. This reduces the risk of severe RSV disease in very young babies by about 70 per cent. One injection during pregnancy protects your baby for up to 6 months from birth, when they are most at risk.
Option B (Beyfortus, also known as nirsevimab) is an infant immunisation provided to babies under the age of 6 months which protects them from RSV almost immediately after the injection. If Abrysvo was not given during pregnancy, Beyfortus is the preferred way for you to protect your baby against RSV. Beyfortus was registered (external site) by the TGA in November 2023 for use as a single injection in infants. Beyfortus can prevent severe lung disease caused by RSV. Medical studies show Beyfortus to be about 80 per cent effective at preventing RSV associated hospitalisation among infants and 90 per cent effective at preventing an admission to an intensive care unit.
Most infants whose mother received an Abrysvo vaccination will not need Beyfortus. However, to be optimally protected from RSV, sometimes the baby will need a Beyfortus immunisation even if the mother received the vaccine while pregnant. This can happen if the baby has certain medical conditions or if the mother received the vaccine less than 2 weeks before the baby’s birth.
When is the best time to immunise yourself or your baby against RSV?
If you are vaccinated during your pregnancy, from 28 to 36 weeks, your baby will be protected against the upcoming season’s strain of RSV. If you are not vaccinated with Abrysvo during pregnancy, babies should be immunised at birth prior to leaving the hospital for best protection.
Both can be safely administrated at the same time as other routine vaccines.
Kimberley/Pilbara Regions
Both the RSV vaccines for eligible pregnant women, as well as the year round Beyfortus program for babies and children, are available for those living in, or who are soon to live in, the Kimberley and Pilbara. This is because local disease trends show that the risk of RSV infection extends for longer than the traditional winter RSV season seen in the rest of WA.
Who is eligible for RSV immunisation?
From 3 February 2025, Abrysvo is available and recommended for all pregnant women at 28 to36 weeks of pregnancy.
From 1 April 2025 until 30 September 2025, Beyfortus is available to:
- babies born from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025
- Aboriginal children born on or after 1 October 2023
- infants with specific high risk medical conditions in their second RSV season born on or after 1 October 2023 (your child’s doctor will advise you if your child should receive a dose).
This is applicable statewide except for the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, where RSV immunisation is available to the above cohorts year round. This is due to these regions experiencing a year round RSV season.
Where to get immunised?
Immunisation is available at:
In addition, pregnant women can also access via:
Learn more about where to get immunised.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Beyfortus may cause side effects. Although uncommon, side effects can include:
- rash
- injection site reactions (pain, redness or swelling) or
- fever.
Almost all reactions are minor and usually go away within a few days. Serious side effects from immunisation are very rare. Learn more about possible side effects, how to manage them, and what to do when you have concerns about side effects.
In 2024, over 20,000 children were immunised with Beyfortus across WA. WA Health monitored reactions following Beyfortus via SMS, and received the following feedback:
- 93 per cent of parents reported no adverse events following Beyfortus (when Beyfortus was the only immunisation administered)
- most reactions were minor and resolved quickly
- 23 Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFIs) were reported to WA Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS).
What parents need to know - fact sheets and translated information
Where to get help
More information
For immunisation information, contact your local immunisation provider.
Last reviewed: 31-01-2025
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.