WA to offer infants free RSV immunisations in an Australian-first $11 million program set to launch in April

WA infants will be offered free RSV immunisations from April in a nation-leading first targeting the common and potentially deadly lung infection. Respiratory syncytial virus is responsible for around 3.6 per cent of deaths in babies under six months globally. The highly infectious disease is contracted by two-thirds of kids in their first year of life and forced the hospitalisation of close to 1000 babies in WA last year, making it the State’s leading cause of admission for the age group. In addition to the risks posed to newborns, spikes in RSV infections – which commonly occur between April and September – place a major strain on Perth Children’s Hospital over winter. The Cook Government is spending $11 million on the immunisation program, which Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson described as a “game-changer for families”. “While babies born prematurely and those with lung, heart or immune problems are at increased risk, most babies hospitalised with RSV have no known medical problems,” she said. “I’m proud Western Australia is the first State in the country and only the second jurisdiction in the southern hemisphere to roll out this important program.” The immunisation comes in the form of a drug called Nirsevimab, which has been approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and is already in use in Europe, the United Kingdom, the US and Canada. Beginning in April, the jab will be available to babies under eight months at GPs, community health clinics and Aboriginal medical services. It will also be offered at birth to children born in hospitals between May and September. Children aged 8 to 19 months with a serious underlying health condition will also be eligible if Nirsevimab is recommended by their doctor. Nirsevimab is an antibody rather than a vaccine – similar to the immunisations used for hepatitis and rabies – meaning it provides instant protection from RSV once administered. Vaccines – which stimulate an immune response that triggers the creation of antibodies – generally take one to three weeks to be fully effective. The protection provided by one dose of Nirsevimab via injection lasts around five months, which is the average length of the RSV season in WA. Premier Roger Cook said the antibody – administered to more than 2 million northern hemisphere infants last year – would give new parents “peace of mind during winter”. “RSV has a devastating impact on thousands of babies every year,” he said. “This nation-leading program will help keep babies healthy and prevent them needing hospital care.” Nirsevimab has proved to be around 80 per cent effective at preventing RSV-related hospitalisations in infants. The WA rollout is expected to prevent close to 700 hospitalisations, 3000 emergency department visits, and 4000 GP consultations. “Young babies are more likely to have a serious outcome following an RSV infection and an increased risk of developing childhood asthma,” Ms Sanderson said. “We have seen how effective nirsevimab has been in the northern hemisphere, and we are excited to be providing WA families with an opportunity to protect their young infants from serious illness and hospitalisation.”