Free RSV vaccine for pregnant patients

Via the National Immunisation Program, pregnant women will be eligible to receive free respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) from 2025.  

The Abrysvo® vaccine will be added to the NIP for this purpose.  

RSV is a serious disease for newborn babies and it infects their nose, throat, and lungs. It is a leading cause of children going to hospital. Approximately 12,000 babies are admitted to hospital annually with severe RSV infection. Infants under six months are at highest risk. Maternal immunisation reduces the risk of severe infection in this age group by around 70 per cent.  RSV is a serious disease for newborn babies and it infects their nose, throat, and lungs. It is a leading cause of children going to hospital. 

RSV vaccine is recommended for women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect their newborn baby from RSV.

To be eligible for a free NIP vaccine, patients must hold or be eligible for a Medicare card. Read more information about vaccinations during pregnancy. 

The program start date is yet to be announced, with vaccines expected to be made available ahead of the 2025 winter flu season. More information will be detailed in due course.