A FREE hybrid immunisation program will help protect Victorian newborns and infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) next winter. The new long-acting monoclonal antibody will be delivered as part of a coordinated national prevention program for unprotected newborns and eligible infants up to eight months old. It will complement an expected Commonwealth-funded maternal vaccine as part of the coordinated national program, ensuring as many babies as possible are protected from RSV, which was associated with 3800 emergency department presentations in Victoria in 2023-'24 - approximately 85 per cent of which required hospital admission. RSV can cause respiratory infections in the airways and lungs such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and is especially common in infants and young children, with most infected by the age of two years. The monoclonal antibody is a long-acting vaccine that will be available for Victorian babies and infants whose mothers were unable to be immunised, or were immunised less than two weeks before the baby's delivery. The infant vaccine provides protection for about five months, which covers the winter peak of RSV infections from April to September. A dedicated catch-up program will also be offered for eligible Victorian infants aged up to two years who are vulnerable to severe RSV and entering their second RSV season. In most cases, immunisations will be administered in a hospital setting as part of standard post-birth care, helping parents avoid any additional healthcare costs and time spent attending appointments. For the 2024 RSV season, Victoria secured doses of the antibody for infants and children at the most severe risk from the virus. "We have worked closely with the Federal Government and other jurisdictions to ensure we can deliver a lifesaving RSV immunisation program for all eligible women and babies regardless of their postcode or bank balance," Victorian Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Federal Government to ensure the National Immunisation Program is up-to-date and responds to newer forms of treatment such as monoclonal antibodies."
