News

RSV Immunisation Program

Published 31 January 2025

The Government of South Australia is partnering with the Australian Government to deliver a new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Maternal and Infant Protection Program ahead of winter 2025.

Under the new comprehensive program:

  • From 3 February 2025, a single dose of RSV vaccine Abrysvo® will be available for people from 28 weeks of pregnancy under the National Immunisation Schedule (NIP).

  • From 1 April 2025, eligible infants up to 8 months old, including infants whose mothers did not have the option to be vaccinated against RSV; and children up to 2 years old with high-risk conditions, will have access to a state-funded Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) monoclonal antibody immunisation.

 

Maternal infant protection program

Timeframe
  • The RSV vaccine Abrysvo® will be added to the NIP from 3 February 2025.
  • Abrysvo cannot be administered before 3 February 2025 to pregnant women.
Who can administer?
  • Abrysvo® will be accessed through general practices, maternal health specialists, local council immunisation clinics, Aboriginal health services birthing hospitals and pharmacists.
Eligible cohort
  • Abrysvo® is recommended as a single dose for pregnant women from 28 to 36 weeks gestation to protect the infant via passive immunisation.
  • Research has shown that severe RSV disease in infants less than 6 months of age reduces by approximately 70% following maternal immunisation.
Reporting
  • All program errors and unexpected adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) must be reported to the SA Health Immunisation Section.
  • All Abrysvo® doses need to be reported to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) under the ‘antenatal’ category.
Vaccine ordering
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine (Abrysvo®) will be available to order with other government funded vaccines through SA Health Vaccine Distribution Centre (VDC)  from Monday 20 January 2025.
More information

 

RSV infant protection program

Timeframe
  • The Government of South Australia will fund an RSV monoclonal antibody (mAb), Beyfortus® (Nirsevimab) for 2025.
  • The mAb program will be offered during the RSV season, 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025.
Who can administer?
  • GPs, maternity, and paediatric hospital services.
Eligible cohort
  • The mAb will be provided for all unprotected and high-risk newborns aged up to eight months in their first RSV season and high-risk children aged up to 24 months in their second RSV season.
More information
  • More information on the mAb program will be available prior to the commencement of the program.

 

Stakeholder engagement

Immunisation Providers registered with VDC
  • Regular emails providing updates on the RSV program implementation.
  • High numbers of attendees at SA Health RSV Q&A webinars held on 20 and 21 January 2025.
RSV Advisory Group
  • Coordinated by the Communicable Disease Control Branch, SA Health with membership representation from Local Health Networks, private hospitals , PHN, Clinical Specialists, General Practice, SA Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
  • Meetings are held regular for implementation planning for the maternity and infant programs.
Communications Strategy
  • SA Health Media and Communications branch in liaison with Australian Government Communications Branch are developing comprehensive communications plan to support program rollouts.
Education and training 
Vaccine ordering
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine (Abrysvo®) will be available to order with other government funded vaccines through SA Health Vaccine Distribution Centre form Monday 20 January 2025.
More information