Healthy living
WA Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infant and Maternal Immunisation Program

WA Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infant and Maternal Immunisation Program

  • RSV is a common, highly infectious virus that can lead to severe illness, hospitalisation and complications, particularly in very young children and older adults. 
  • RSV infects the airways and lungs and spreads easily by coughing and sneezing.
  • Symptoms include a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever and reduced appetite.  RSV infection can also make breathing difficult and cause wheezing.
  • RSV can spread quickly in crowded or close-contact environments, including residential aged care homes, childcare centres, and schools.
  • RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalisation in Western Australia (WA).
  • Prior to the introduction of immunisation programs, approximately 1,000 WA infants were hospitalised for RSV every year. 
  • RSV immunisation is recommended for newborns, young children with certain medical risk factors, pregnant women, Aboriginal people aged 60 or older, and all people aged 75 or older.
  • In WA, eligible people can get the RSV immunisation for free (eligibility depends on age and risk factors).
  • Immunisation is a safe and effective way to protect against serious disease caused by RSV.

The risk of spreading RSV can be reduced by practicing good hygiene. To learn more information about RSV, refer to Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

People recommended to have the immunisation

Pregnant women and babies

In WA there are 2 options to protect your baby against RSV infection.

Maternal RSV vaccination (Abrysvo)

Option A: a maternal RSV vaccine recommended and available to all pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy, during every pregnancy.

Getting one dose of Abrysvo generates RSV antibodies that cross the placenta and help protect your baby from birth for up to 6 months, when they are most at risk. You can get Abrysvo at the same time, or separately from, other maternal vaccines such as whooping cough (pertussis) and influenza.

Infant immunisation (Beyfortus, also known as nirsevimab)

Option B: an immunisation availablefor infants and eligible children under 2 years of age. Babies can receive Beyfortus at the same time as other routine vaccines, but it is best administered before they leave the birthing hospital.

If you didn’t receive Abrysvo during pregnancy, your baby should be immunised with Beyfortus before they leave hospital, as it begins protecting them from RSV almost immediately.  Some newborns whose mother received Abrysvo, and certain children, may still need a Beyfortus immunisation if they are at high risk of RSV-related illness.  Speak with your immunisation provider for more information about medical conditions that can increase the risk of RSV-related illness.

In WA, from 1 April 2026 until 30 September 2026, Beyfortus is available to:

  • babies born between 1 April and 30 September 2026, if their mothers were not vaccinated with Abrysvo at least 2 weeks before giving birth
  • babies born between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026, irrespective of whether their mother was vaccinated in pregnancy
  • infants with specific high-risk medical conditions, irrespective of whether their mother was vaccinated in pregnancy
  • Aboriginal children born on or after 1 October 2024 who are entering their second RSV season
  • children aged 8 months to 2 years with specific high-risk medical conditions who are entering their second RSV season (your child’s doctor will let you know if your child should receive a dose).

This guidance applies throughout WA, except in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, where RSV immunisation is available to newborns and young children throughout the year, due to continuous RSV circulation in these areas.

If you are unsure about eligibility, please use this helpful tool (external site) provided by The Kids Research Institute.

Note:  Beyfortus is available regardless of eligibility for Medicare benefits.

Older adults

Arexvy is offered to:

  • all adults aged 65 and over in residential aged care homes
  • all adults aged 50- 59 years in residential aged care homes with increased risk of RSV disease

More information on eligibility for Arexvy for additional vulnerable groups will be available soon.

Note: Arexvy is not registered for use during pregnancy and should not be given to pregnant women.

Arexvy RSV vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, such as COVID-19, influenza, shingles and pneumococcal vaccines. Speak to your immunisation provider for more information.

 

People not recommended to have the immunisation

The only absolute contraindications to the RSV immunisations are:

  • anaphylaxis after a previous dose of same RSV immunisation
  • anaphylaxis after any component of an RSV immunisation.

Benefits

Before the introduction of RSV immunisation, approximately 1000 babies were hospitalised each winter in WA due to severe RSV infection. RSV continues to be the most common reason babies are hospitalised, but immunisation has significantly reduced RSV-related hospital admissions

Adults aged 60 years and over who are vaccinated against RSV are 83 per cent less likely to have RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease and 94 per cent less likely to develop severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease.

Risks

Any medicine, including vaccines, can have potentially serious side effects, such as severe allergic reaction. However, the risk of this is extremely small. For more information on possible side effects, see below.

Vaccine safety and effectiveness

RSV immunisations are safe and effective.

All vaccines, products and medicines available in Australia pass strict safety testing before being approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (external site).

The WA Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system, and the national AusVaxSafety program continue to closely monitor the type and rate of immunisation reactions to ensure immunisations remain safe for the community. Visit AusVaxSafety for more information (external site).

For more information about the efficacy of RSV immunisations, visit the National Centre for Immunisations Research and Surveillance (NCIRS). Learn more about vaccination safety.

Where to get immunised

RSV Immunisation is available at:

Some immunisation providers may charge a consultation fee for administering the vaccine. You should check if there are any costs when making an appointment with your chosen immunisation provider. 

For further information contact your immunisation provider. Find out where you can get immunised

Possible side effects

Common side effects

These symptoms normally occur soon after you receive the vaccine, last one to 2 days, and resolve without requiring special treatment.

Common side effects of RSV immunisation include:

  • pain, redness or swelling where the needle was given
  • fever
  • fatigue
  • headache
  • muscle pains.

Learn more about possible side effects, how to manage them, and what to do when you have concerns about side effects.

Serious side effects

Any medicine, including the RSV immunisation, can have potentially serious side effects such as severe allergic reactions. However, the risk of a serious adverse event following immunisation is extremely small. If severe allergic reactions occur, they usually begin within a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the vaccine. Immunisation providers are trained to manage allergic reactions to vaccines.

If you or someone in your care experiences a reaction that you are concerned about, seek medical advice:

  • see your doctor
  • phone healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222
  • visit your hospital emergency department, or
  • call an ambulance.

If you are experiencing a reaction that is severe or life-threatening you should call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to your closest emergency department.

Learn more about the possible side effects of vaccination and how to manage them. 

Reporting possible vaccine reactions

Any side effects causing concern, whether minor or serious, should be reported to the Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system (external site).

The WAVSS system is the central reporting service in WA for any significant adverse events following immunisation.

If you have experienced a significant adverse event (reaction) to a vaccine you can report it:

Your immunisation provider should report all suspected significant reactions, but you can also make a report.  If you report a possible reaction to vaccination, WAVSS staff may contact you for further information.

For more information visit Reporting side effects after immunisation 


Where to get help

More information

For immunisation information, contact:

 

Last reviewed: 27-03-2026

This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

Department of Health