Queensland's expanding RSV immunisation program

The Queensland Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention Program is expanding from 1 December 2024. This expanded program provides free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation to eligible Queensland infants and pregnant people.

From 1 December 2024, the program will offer infants protection against severe RSV disease through infant immunisation and maternal vaccination.

The products funded under this program are:

• Abrysvo ®, an RSV vaccine given to pregnant people between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect infants against severe RSV disease from birth for up to 6 months.
• Nirsevimab (brand name Beyfortus®), a long-acting monoclonal antibody that provides infants and young children protection against severe RSV disease for at least 5 months from administration.

Both products have been determined by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to be safe and effective and are approved for use in Australia.

Infants and pregnant people who are residents of Queensland can receive free RSV immunisation under this program. Eligibility for this program is not linked to Medicare status.

Infants born to a person who received RSV vaccination during their pregnancy do not routinely require Nirsevimab. Please view the clinical guidance for immunisation service providers or visit the Queensland Government website for more information including eligibility criteria and consent forms.

QHIP registered providers will be able to offer Abrysvo ® to pregnant people from 1 December 2024. This includes providers in general practice, pharmacy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, community immunisation clinics and some maternity and antenatal health services. 

Access and ordering vaccines

Nirsevimab 50mg continues to be available, 100mg stock is expected to be available in early 2025.

Abrysvo ® can be ordered from Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP) from 25 November 2024. QHIP registered providers can place an order for Nirsevmab and Abrysvo ® in their next routine order using the vaccine order form or by emailing QHIP-Admin@health.qld.gov.au.

Stock of  Abrysvo ® from QHIP is only for maternal vaccination only. For all other indications, please order through your usual private wholesalers.