New RSV vaccine keeps 400-plus Qld babies out of hospital

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has praised a new immunisation that has kept hundreds of Queensland babies out of hospital, as flu and Covid-19 cases spike with the onset of winter.

Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Heidi Carroll has praised the success of the RSV immunisation program. Picture: John Gass

A vaccine targeting a serious respiratory illness that hits infants hard has resulted in a 75 per cent reduction in babies hospitalised with the virus.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has praised the new immunisation program that has protected hundreds of Queensland babies from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), as flu and Covid-19 cases spike with the onset of winter.

The roll out of the RSV Prevention Program in April 2024 has seen more than 57,000 women and children immunised against RSV up to June 8, 2025.

RSV is one of the most common causes of hospitalisation in infants and young children, and almost all children experience at least one RSV infection within the first two years of life.

In 2025, there have been 14,616 reported cases of RSV in Queensland to date, resulting in 1724 hospitalisations.

Between January 1 and June 8 of this year, the roll out of the RSM immunisation program in Queensland has led to a 75 per cent reduction in hospitalisations for children under six months, preventing 420 hospitalisations in babies under six months.

The new vaccine has kept 400-plus babies out of hospital.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll hailed the success of the immunisation program, describing the reduction in hospitalisations as encouraging.

“We’ve had over 75 per cent hospital reductions in children under the age of six months, that’s an amazing effort, and it shows just how effective this vaccination is,” Dr Carroll said.

“There’s been 420 babies under the age of six months who haven’t needed to go to hospital, that is amazing.

“We’re very pleased to see how well the vaccine is preventing illness in little ones.”

Dr Carroll encouraged pregnant women between 28 weeks to 36 weeks to consult with their GP or midwife regarding the vaccine.

“If you’re pregnant, have a chat with your GP or your midwife or your service provider about how you can get that vaccine,” she said.

“For mums who don’t get vaccinated during pregnancy, babies can be vaccinated as well, and that usually occurs just after birth.

“So please have a chat with them about what is the best option for you.”

Pregnant women are encouraged to talk with their GP regarding the RSV vaccine. Photo by Frederic J.Brown/AFP)

Dr Carroll went onto add that there has been a spike in flu and Covid-19 cases in Queensland leading into winter.

Since mid-May until June 2, the number of Covid-19 cases in Queensland has increased from 571 to 887, while the number of flu cases in Queensland has increased from 1004 to 1467.

In 2025 to date, there have been 17,612 reported cases of Covid-19 and 22,405 reported cases of the flu in Queensland.

Dr Carroll said while an increase in the number of cases is expected, there are more cases compared to this time last year.

“As winter hits, we are seeing an increase in cases for Covid, flu, RSV and other respiratory illnesses – this is to be expected,” she said.

“We will see cases rising in the next few weeks and then we will really see quite a peak occurring late June and July.

“We are seeing more cases this year compared to last year.

“We do believe that’s because people probably aren’t getting as vaccinated as much as they would have in the past.”

Dr Carroll encouraged Queensland residents to speak with their healthcare provider regarding a flu vaccine and updated Covid-19 vaccination.