Fewer babies have been hospitalised for RSV this year in Queensland thanks to the Queensland Paediatric RSV Immunisation Program.
For many people, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) leads to nothing more than a mild cold. But for others—especially young children —it can cause severe illness, including pneumonia, and the need for hospitalisation.
RSV is one of the leading reasons children under the age of two are admitted to hospital, with nearly every child likely to experience an RSV infection before they turn two.
The good news is that there is now a vaccine and a specific immunisation product to prevent serious illness among infants – and it’s already showing results.
Since the launch of Queensland’s free statewide RSV immunisation program in April 2024, hospitalisation rates among the state’s youngest Queenslanders have dropped significantly.
Among infants under six months of age, hospitalisations have declined this year (up to 8 June 2025) by 75 per cent compared to the same time in 2023 before immunisation began. This means 420 fewer children have been hospitalised this year due to RSV.
This is because RSV immunisation helps reduce the severity of symptoms and the need for treatment in a hospital.
Below is everything you need to know about RSV immunisation and how it protects our most vulnerable Queenslanders from developing potentially life-threatening complications.
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, highly contagious virus that often causes the ‘common cold.’ It infects the airways and lungs, and spreads between people when an infected person produces small water droplets while talking, coughing or sneezing.
You are usually infectious (can pass on the virus) for up to eight days from when your symptoms begin. The virus can live on surfaces for several hours or on your unwashed hands for 30 to 60 minutes.[1]
Who is most at risk of RSV?
For some groups of people, RSV symptoms can be more severe than a sniffle or a cough.
People most at risk of serious RSV disease include:
- infants under 12 months, especially 6 months and under
- children under two years with medical conditions such as chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease
- children under two years who were born early or with a low birth weight
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and young children.
Older children, adolescents and adults can still get RSV, but it’s less common for them to get a severe illness.[2]
RSV outbreaks are common in settings such as early childhood education, including daycare centres, which makes young children particularly vulnerable.
What measures are available to protect children against serious illness from RSV?
Immunisation is the most effective way to protect against serious disease caused by RSV.[3]
You can also follow these easy steps to help prevent the spread of RSV and other viruses:
- Wash your hands and children’s hands regularly with soap and water.
- Wipe your clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub .
- Clean and disinfect touched surfaces, toys and objects such as door handles regularly.
- Teach children to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw away used tissues in the bin and wash their hands.
- Keep unwell children away from newborn babies, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems. [4]
Who is eligible for free RSV immunisation, and where is it available?
Free RSV immunisation is available and recommended in pregnancy between 28 and 36 weeks gestation. This is funded by the Commonwealth Government under the National Immunisation Program.
Free immunisation is also available for babies less than eight months of age whose mothers did not receive the maternal vaccine, or who are at increased risk of severe disease. Babies can be immunised at any time after birth.
Older infants and young children aged between eight to 24 months can also be immunised if they are at increased risk of severe disease.
RSV immunisation for young children is funded by the Queensland Government.
Since April 2024 and up to 8 June 2025, more than 57,000 Queenslanders in these cohorts have been immunised.
RSV immunisation is offered for these cohorts at most GPs and some community pharmacies, maternity and antenatal health services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services, and community immunisation clinics.
Infants and young children recieve the RSV immunisation product nirsevimab. This is a monoclonal antibody, which provides the baby with specific protective antibodies.
What immunisation products are available to protect children against serious illness from RSV?
There are two free immunisation products available in Queensland that protect infants and young children against serious illness from RSV.
- The maternal RSV immunisation is called Abrysvo. When the maternal RSV immunisation is given during pregnancy, the immune system produces antibodies against RSV, which are then transferred to the baby. The antibodies help protect babies against severe RSV disease from birth up to six months of age. For the maternal RSV immunisation to be effective, it should be received at least 14 days before giving birth. [5]
- Infants not protected by the maternal RSV immunisation can receive the RSV immunisation product nirsevimab. This is a monoclonal antibody, which provides the baby with specific protective antibodies, which differs from a vaccine. It activates the immune system to produce antibodies.
Does RSV immunisation prevent RSV infection?
No, children may still get RSV infection, but immunisation can reduce the risk of serious illness or hospitalisation.
Hospital visits can be disruptive, especially for children and their families, and may involve oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and in severe cases, intubation and intensive care.
The latest Queensland Health data shows that between 1 January and 8 June 2025, 457 (3%) RSV cases under six months of age have been reported.
The number of babies aged six months and under hospitalised for RSV in this age group has decreased by 75 per cent (420 hospitalisations) compared to the same period in 2023 before the free RSV immunisation became available.
As more eligible people get immunised against RSV, we expect to see fewer hospitalisations.
What’s better? Getting vaccinated in pregnancy or immunising your baby after they are born?
Both options are just as effective as the other.
Babies whose mothers receive the vaccine during pregnancy are born with a level of protection and immunity against RSV. By getting the vaccine while pregnant, babies are protected from the moment they enter the world.
Newborn babies who are not protected by the maternal RSV immunisation can be immunised in hospital before they go home.
The maternal RSV immunisation and the monoclonal antibody are very effective at protecting your baby from severe RSV disease.
Can my child be immunised against RSV if I was vaccinated in pregnancy?
Most babies will not need to be immunised if a maternal vaccine was given during pregnancy, as they are already protected.
However, babies may be eligible for RSV immunisation if the maternal vaccine was administered less than 14 days before birth, or if they have a complex medical condition which puts them at increased risk of severe illness.
Not sure if your child is eligible? Talk to your healthcare provider for more information.
Is there an RSV immunisation for older people?
Yes, however this vaccine is not free.
RSV immunisation is recommended for the following cohorts:
- First Nations people aged 60 years and over
- people aged 60 years and over with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe RSV disease
- people aged 75 years and over.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the RSV immunisation, how much it will cost, and whether you are suitable to receive the vaccine.
Why should I consider the RSV immunisation now?
Every year during the winter months, cases of RSV increase in the Queensland community.
More than 1,720 people have been hospitalised for RSV in Queensland this year to date (up to 8 June 2025), including 48 per cent (829) aged two years and under. [6]
Are there any risks or side effects of the RSV immunisation?
Some people experience minor side effects following vaccination, such as pain and redness near the injection site, fatigue, headache and muscle pains.
Most reactions are mild and only last a couple of days, and you will recover without any problems, but if you’re worried, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. [7]