In 2025, eligible pregnant women will be able to receive the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for free under the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Immunisation Program (NIP).
The RSV vaccine is recommended for women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy and it protects their newborn from RSV.
RSV is a serious disease for newborn babies and it infects their nose, throat, and lungs. It is a leading cause of children going to hospital. Getting a vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk of severe RSV disease in infants less than 6 months of age by about 70%.
The inclusion of the RSV vaccine on the NIP is a step towards a consistent national approach to protecting infants from RSV in 2025.
Vaccinations will be available in 2025, the start date of the program will be announced as soon as possible.
