Free vaccinations to protect babies from potentially deadly virus

Queensland parents will be offered free vaccinations for newborn babies against a potentially deadly virus in a $31m investment by the state government.

Queensland babies will be offered free vaccinations against potentially deadly Respiratory Syncytial Virus in a $31m investment by the state government.

The virus, which is the most common cause of hospitalisations in infants and young children, has taken grip of the state.

This year alone around 6000 cases of RSV have been recorded which is nearly double the number of cases in 2023 in the same period up to March 17.

Almost all Queensland children will experience at least one RSV infection by the time they turn two.

The immunisation program will be rolled out next month to more than 70,000 eligible infants and young children.

Premier Steven Miles told The Courier-Mail that he was aware of how frightening it is for parents to have a sick baby.

“I can remember how scary it is when your baby is sick,” he said.

“Providing the smallest Queenslanders with a free RSV immunisation will help give them the best start in life.

“My government will continue to invest in more and better healthcare.”

In the 2022-23 financial year the costs associated with RSV-related hospitalisations for all ages in Queensland was close to $40m.

Last year, nearly 29,000 RSV cases were recorded. Of these, 9703 cases were children under two years and hospital admissions accounted for more than 5000 occupied pediatric bed days, of which 3525 were for infants under one year of age.

The highly contagious virus attacks the lungs and can spread quickly, particularly between small children.

While RSV can infect people of all ages, in children what may seem like a cold can rapidly turn severe causing a range of respiratory illness including bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

The landmark statewide pediatric RSV immunisation program will be rolled out ahead of the winter season. All newborn infants will be offered a dose prior to discharge from hospital. Infants born on or after the commencement date who are not immunised in hospital can access the dose up until they are more than eight months of age.

Included too are babies with certain complex medical conditions from eight months up to 19 months of age (inclusive), until October 31 this year.

This is a 12 month program which will be re-evaluated when complete.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said Queensland was one of the first states in the country to announce a free RSV immunisation program.

The program will use the monoclonal antibody product nirsevimab (brand name Beyfortus), which was approved by the Therapeutic Good Administration in November 2023 for use in infants and young children.

Due to limited global supply of nirsevimab, Queensland’s immunisation program will ensure infants and young children at highest risk of severe disease from RSV are protected at the right time. More information around eligibility and how to access the RSV immunisation will be released prior to the start of the program.

“This investment follows on from the recent $90m announcement to rollout the Meningococcal B vaccine for free to eligible cohorts,” Ms Fentiman said. “It will also provide immediate cost of living relief by eliminating the financial barriers to parents wanting to access this RSV prevention product,” she said.