Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a virus that can cause respiratory illness. It can be more severe in young children, affecting breathing with severe infections including bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Some RSV facts:
- RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in Australia.
- 4 out of 5 infants and children admitted to hospital with RSV were previously healthy with no underlying health conditions.
- Young children are at higher risk of severe disease.
- Global deaths due to RSV are 5-times higher than deaths from influenza among children under 1 year.
The WA Dept of Health is providing free RSV immunization from 1st April to 30th September 2024. Ideally the RSV immunisation should be given in April and May at the beginning of the RSV season.
RSV Immunisation facts:
- The RSV immunization is called Nirsevimab.
- It is an antibody that provides immediate protective immunity against RSV infection.
- It is 80% effective at decreasing infant hospitalisations due to RSV.
- RSV immunisation can be given at the same time as other childhood vaccinations.
- Protection lasts for around 5 months, the length of an average RSV season.
- Most common side effects are pain, redness or swelling where the injection is given, and a rash.
Who is eligible for RSV Immunisation?
- Catch-up program for babies born from 1 October 2023 to 30 April 2024
- Aboriginal children born from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2024 health.wa.gov.au
- Some medically at-risk children in their second RSV season born from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023.
- In addition, at birth to all babies born between 1 May and 30 September 2024.
Your GP at QMSC is able to offer RSV immunisation to your child, commencing 1st April 2024.
Further information can be found here:
https://www.health.wa.gov.au/sitecore/content/Healthy-WA/Articles/N_R/Respiratory-syncytial-virus
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