Child RSV cases spike in South Australia, calls grow for free immunisation program

The change comes as hospitalisations of children with the virus mount and amid debate over free vaccinations.

South Australia will make “a big change” to how it tackles the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for infants as cases of children being hospitalised with the virus mount – but it will stop short of a free vaccine for all babies.

In the past week, 48 people have been hospitalised in SA with RSV – 32 of them young children.

Despite an earlier spike in infections Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said recent data was showing cases and hospitalisations trending downwards.

While some states like WA have made an RSV vaccine available to all newborn babies, Prof Spurrier said SA is planning to take a different approach next season, as recommended by the National Immunisation Handbook.

On Monday, she announced South Australia will be making “a big change” in how the state tackles RSV infection for babies in the future through a combination of maternal vaccinations and monoclonal antibodies for those whose mothers weren’t vaccinated during pregnancy and who are considered vulnerable. That includes babies born with congenital heart problems, congenital lung problems and premature infants.

“Children most at risk are those that are born prematurely,” she said.

“They have a much, much less mature immune system. They haven’t had the benefit of getting antibodies across from their mother. And also they have a lot of other health problems with their tiny little lungs.”

New mum Sara with baby son George, who has battled RSV. Picture: Natalie Vikhrov

George in hospital connected to oxygen. Picture: Supplied

RSV cases this year have outpaced last year’s figures with 7,800 cases recorded to date compared to 6,659 for the same period in 2023.

For most this is mild disease but for some children it can become dangerous – even deadly.

Norwood mum Sara remembers the terrifying feeling of watching her baby struggling to breathe just weeks after he was born.

At just four weeks old, baby George had contracted RSV.

Sara, who asked to be identified only by her first name, said what started as a runny nose became a matter of emergency within days.

Despite being an otherwise healthy baby and getting quickly admitted to hospital, George’s condition deteriorated into pneumonia.

“We only just had him, and suddenly, I’m sitting at his bedside thinking, how did this happen, and terrified that we might lose him,” Sara said.

“It was so difficult to hold him and give him a hug because he had all these tubes coming out of him from every direction.

“Just to see your baby struggling to breathe … it was terrifying.”

South Australia was able to procure 300 doses of monoclonal antibodies for the most vulnerable infants for the current season but while more than 100 remain available, many babies won’t be eligible to receive one this winter.

The Opposition said it wanted the government to implement a free immunisation program for infants.

Opposition Leader David Speirs said if the government had introduced an RSV immunisation program this year, pressure on hospitals could have been reduced.

“We’ve had parents tell us how frightened they’ve been seeing their little ones hospitalised with RSV and struggling to breathe, wishing there was a way to protect them from this horrible virus,” he said.

But Health Minister Chris Picton said the government will be taking its public health advice from Professor Spurrier, “not from Liberal politicians like David Speirs”.

“I have written to the Federal Health Minister Mark Butler to encourage a national approach to the RSV monoclonal antibody next year via the National Immunisation Program,” he said.

“The Department for Health and Wellbeing is currently preparing a strategy for the 2025 season, ahead of ATAGI’s 2025 recommendations being released later this month.”