From February 3, Australian mums and their newborn babies will have free access to the best and most comprehensive protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid said the Australian Government was investing $174.5M to give eligible pregnant women free access to the vaccine, Abrysvo®, under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The free maternal RSV vaccine will be available to women who are 28-36 weeks pregnant, to protect their newborn babies from serious illness.
Without subsidy, Australians could expect to pay $300 for the vaccine.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that affects the nose, throat and lungs.
A significant number of infants will be infected with RSV before the age of two, with about 12,000 babies admitted to hospital each year with severe RSV.
It is a leading cause of hospitalisation of babies in Australia.
Maternal immunisation reduces the risk of severe RSV disease in infants under six months of age by about 70 per cent.
The immunisations will slash hospitalisation rates and keep an estimated 10,000 infants out of hospital each year.
Pregnant women can safely receive the RSV vaccine at the same time as other free and recommended maternal vaccines, influenza and whooping cough, which are already available for free on the NIP for pregnant women.
To ensure that every Australian baby is protected, the Federal Government has worked with all states and territories to support national access to the monoclonal antibody Beyfortus™, which provides direct protection to newborns and young children.
The Commonwealth has brought together a national working group to support this work.
“As an emergency department doctor, I welcome the announcement that RSV vaccines will be made free for pregnant women from February,” Reid said.
“And as a government, we are committed to improving healthcare access and giving the best protection to newborn babies.”
Health Minister Mark Butler said it was a world-leading approach to reduce the impact of RSV on babies.
“Our combination approach, in partnership with each state and territory, will ensure that every single infant in Australia is protected ahead of the winter RSV season,” he said.
To learn more about the recommended guidance on RSV by the ATAGI, click here to access the Australian Immunisation Handbook.