Queensland Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention (QPRSVP) Program

As of the 15th of April 2024, the Queensland Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention (QPRSVP) Program will provide free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation to eligible Queensland infants born on or from the 1st of February 2024 up until they turn 8 months of age.

The QPRSVP Program will use nirsevimab (brand name Beyfortus®). This is a medicine that contains pre-made antibodies that can prevent against severe RSV disease. For more information, please visit the Queensland Health website or view the Clinical Guidance for Immunisation Service Providers.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) clinical statement provides advice on the use of the Arexvy vaccine for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Disease in older adults in Australia. The statement can be found via the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

The Queensland Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention (QPRSVP) Program commenced from 15 April 2024 at all Queensland birthing hospitals. This program provides free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisations for all newborn babies born on, or from 1 February 2024 for the prevention of severe RSV disease.

To support implementation of the QPRSVP, the following amendments to Extended Practice Authorities (EPAs) have come into effect on 1 May 2024:

• Midwives, Registered Nurses, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners and Indigenous Health Workers practicing within the requirements of their respective EPA, will be authorised to independently administer nirsevimab.
• The current Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) is the health management protocol (HMP) for dealings with medicines for immunisations listed in the respective EPA. Where a medicine for immunisation is not included in the AIH, the current recommendation issued by ATAGI may be used as the HMP. 

It is also important to note that from 1 May 2024:

• Midwives, Registered Nurses, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners, Indigenous Health Workers and Pharmacists practicing within the requirements of their respective EPA, will be authorised to independently administer RSV vaccine. 

We encourage all involved in the QPRSVP Program and particularly clinical staff working under an EPA to familiarise themselves with the relevant changes. 

The EPAs have been published on the Queensland Health landing page: Legislation, standards and extended practice authorities