RSV maternal and infant protection program 2025

About the 2025 RSV program 

Ahead of Winter 2025, free RSV vaccination will be offered in pregnancy from 28 weeks gestation to protect the infant. 
In addition, an RSV monoclonal antibody program, with Beyfortus (nirsevimab), will be available to eligible infants and young children.

Under the comprehensive program: 

• Free RSV vaccination with Abrysvo is available for pregnant people under the NIP Schedule from 3 February 2025. A single dose of the vaccine is recommended in pregnancy from 28 to 36 weeks' gestation to protect the infant against RSV from birth.
   
• Eligible infants, including infants whose mothers did not receive Abrysvo vaccine during pregnancy and those with high-risk conditions, will have access to a free long-acting RSV monoclonal antibody, Beyfortus (nirsevimab).

Why are infants at higher risk of severe RSV?

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a virus that causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections. In Tasmania, the RSV season typically occurs from May to September, with year-to-year variation.  

Symptoms often include runny nose, cough, and fever. However, in babies under 12 months, and especially under six months, the virus can lead to more severe illness and hospitalisation.

In infants, RSV can cause pneumonia or bronchiolitis (inflammation and narrowing of the small airways in the lungs), which can lead to significant breathing difficulties. Infection with RSV in infancy is also thought to be associated with the development of other airway diseases, including asthma, later in life.  

Why is vaccination during pregnancy important?

Vaccination during pregnancy is recommended to provide protection to infants in their early months of life. 

The vaccine induces an immune response against the virus, resulting in antibodies that are passed to the baby via the placenta. These antibodies protect the young infant in their early months of life, when they are most vulnerable to severe RSV infection. 

Program Eligibility

Maternal vaccination (Abyrsvo)

Ahead of winter 2025, all pregnant women from 28 weeks are strongly recommended to receive a NIP funded RSV vaccine (Abrysvo). This will be available for free* through General Practice, community pharmacies and antenatal care providers. 

Infants are considered protected if their mother was vaccinated at least 2 weeks before delivery.

The start date for this program is Monday 3 February 2025. 

*RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) is funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), provider fees may apply.

Infant Immunisation (Beyfortus; nirsevimab)

From 1 April 2025, a state funded long-acting RSV monoclonal antibody (Beyfortus; nirsevimab) will be available for eligible infants entering their first RSV season. 

This includes the following infants born from 1 October 2024 and aged <8 months old:

• Infants whose mothers did not receive RSV vaccination during pregnancy.
• Infants whose mothers were vaccinated less than two weeks before delivery. 
• Infants who are at increased risk of severe RSV, regardless of their mother’s vaccination status.

An additional program will be available for some children <24 months of age entering their second RSV season who have risk factors that place them at higher risk of severe RSV disease. 

Risk factors for severe RSV include prematurity (born less than 32 weeks gestational age) and specific chronic or complex medical conditions that affect lung or immune function. For more details see the Australian Immunisation Handbook.

Beyfortus (nirsevimab) will be offered through public and private birthing hospitals, General Practitioners, and some tertiary outpatient clinics.

For more information 

For further information about RSV, see the RSV fact sheet

Learn about how vaccination protects your baby and more information about vaccination during pregnancy (skai.org.au)

Find out more about the NIP schedule including eligibility (health.gov.au)

The Immunisation Unit can be contacted at [email protected] or by phone on 1800 671 738 to answer any queries from providers or members of the public about the RSV program 2025.