Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, highly contagious virus that infects the airways and lungs. RSV spreads between people when an infected person produces small water droplets while talking, coughing or sneezing. The droplets can be inhaled by others or land on surfaces where the virus can live for several hours.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect against serious disease caused by RSV.
Who should get protected against RSV
Anyone who wants to protect themselves against RSV can talk to their health professional about getting vaccinated.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends RSV vaccination for specific groups including:
- women at 28 to 36 weeks pregnancy
- infants and children under 2 years of age
- whose mothers were not vaccinated at least 2 weeks before delivery, or
- who are at increased risk of severe disease, or
- who have medical conditions or circumstances that increase their risk of RSV disease
- First Nations people aged 60 years and over
- people aged 60 years and over with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe RSV disease
- people aged 75 years and over.
States and territories provide the RSV immunisation product Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) for free to eligible infants and children including:
- infants up to 8 months and children up to 2 years:
- whose mother did not receive the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, or
- who were born within 2 weeks after the mother receiving an RSV vaccine, or
- who have a condition or circumstance that increases their risk of severe RSV disease
- young children aged 8 to under 2 years who have certain risk conditions for severe RSV disease are recommended to receive the RSV immunisation product before their second RSV season.
Speak to your health professional or contact your state or territory Department of Health to find out more.
Maternal vaccine
The maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo®) is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for women at 28–36 weeks pregnancy (prior to 37 weeks) to protect their baby.
When a pregnant woman receives the maternal RSV vaccine, their immune system produces antibodies against RSV in the first couple of weeks after vaccination. These antibodies are transferred through the placenta to the baby’s bloodstream. The antibodies help protect the infant against RSV from birth.
The process of providing antibodies from mother to baby is a form of passive immunisation and provides protection to the infant for up to 6 months from birth.
Vaccines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, older people, and those medically at risk
RSV vaccines are recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and over, people with medical risk conditions aged 60 and over, and adults aged 75 years and over. People aged 60 to 74 years may consider RSV vaccination.
Currently, there are no RSV vaccines funded through the National Immunisation Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, people with medical risk conditions or older people.
You can purchase RSV vaccines privately but you may need a prescription and you cannot be reimbursed through the National Immunisation Program. Speak with your trusted health professional for more information.
RSV vaccines and immunisation products
RSV vaccines and immunisation products (antibodies) come on their own and are not a combination vaccine (2 or more different vaccines in 1 dose).
- ABRYSVO®*
- AREXVY
- BEYFORTUS™ (nirsevimab)+ (immunisation product)
- SYNAGIS® (immunisation product)
* Indicates NIP funded vaccine
+ Indicates state or territory funded immunisation product
All RSV vaccines and immunisation products that are available for use in Australia are listed in the Australian Immunisation Handbook under Vaccines, dosage and administration.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration website provides product information and consumer medicine information for RSV vaccines.
RSV vaccines or immunisation products should not be given to people who have had:
- anaphylaxis after a previous dose of the same RSV vaccine or product
- anaphylaxis after any component of an RSV vaccine or product.
Read more about getting vaccinated.
Possible side effects of RSV vaccination
You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most reactions are mild and only last a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.
Common side effects of RSV vaccines include:
- pain and redness at the injection site
- fatigue
- headache
- muscle pains.
Talk to your health professional about possible side effects of the RSV vaccines, or if you have side effects that worry you.
The Consumer Medicine Information available on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website lists the ingredients and side effects of each vaccine.
Learn more about the possible side effects of vaccination.
Where to get vaccinated
You can get your vaccine from a range of health professionals. Find out where and more about your vaccination visit at getting vaccinated.
Not all health services will offer the free maternal RSV vaccine.
Check with your health professional or health service to find out:
- if they can provide the NIP vaccine
- when you can book in to have the vaccine
- if there is a consultation or service fee required to get the free vaccine.