From Monday, 17 March, free immunisation from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will be available to all newborn babies. It means all newborn babies can be protected against serious illness from this virus, with an estimated 1,150 babies under six months of age avoiding hospitalisation for RSV in NSW each year.
Women who are pregnant can currently receive free vaccination for RSV which passes protection to their babies for the first five months of life. Nirsevimab will be given to eligible newborns before hospital discharge.
For infants at birth who are not protected by maternal RSV vaccination, the Minns Labor Government is offering free RSV immunisation. The Government will also offer protection for babies who are high risk of serious RSV disease, even if their birth mother has been vaccinated.
RSV is a common cause of respiratory illness infecting up to 90 per cent of children within the first two years of life. It can affect anyone, but the infection is more severe in children under one year of age, who may develop bronchiolitis or pneumonia requiring hospitalisation.
Further information on how to protect yourself and others from RSV can be found on the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/respiratory-syncytial-virus.aspx