Vaccine trial success: Free RSV jabs keep Qld babies out of hospital

Not one Queensland baby vaccinated against a dreaded respiratory disease has been hospitalised since a free immunisation program was rolled out across the state.

Not one Queensland baby vaccinated against the dreaded respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been hospitalised since a free immunisation program was rolled out across the state.

More than 7500 young children have been vaccinated, with no jabbed infants needing hospital treatment since April 25, but 90 non-immunised babies have been admitted.

The rapid success in protecting the youngest in the state has sparked Health Minister Shannon Fentiman to investigate widening the free program.

Almost all children will encounter RSV by age 2 and immunisation can significantly reduce the risk of serious illness.

RSV cases across the state have soared by 53 per cent, compared with last year, with more than 23,486 diagnoses.

Children under 2 are still a significant portion of those affected. Almost one-third of all RSV cases this year have occurred in this age group, resulting in 1366 hospitalisations.

“The program is helping take pressure off our hospital system and freeing up beds for ­seriously ill children, while also removing cost barriers for Queensland families,” Ms Fentiman said.

Respiratory illness cases have been clogging emergency departments for the past week, with a 28 per cent increase in demand for beds for influenza patients alone.

A baby gets an injection.

The government committed $31m to fund the vaccination program in March, using the monoclonal antibody product nirsevimab (brand name Beyfortus®), supplied by Sanofi.

In the past four weeks, only 12 newborns were hospitalised with RSV, compared with 48 in the same period last year.

None were immunised.

“This free state government program is an important step towards reducing the risk ­associated with RSV and keeping more newborns safe. Since the program’s launch, no immunised newborn has been hospitalised with RSV in Queensland,” chief health officer John Gerrard said.

“This has been a dreaded disease of newborn babies. The threat appears to be melting away over the course of just a few weeks,” he said.

Infants can receive the free vaccine if they were born after February 1 this year, up until under eight months.

“While the program’s results are very reassuring, it’s important that Queenslanders remain vigilant throughout winter when we’re more likely to see this up tick of respiratory ­viruses impact us all,” Dr Gerrard said.

Ms Fentiman said she would continue to work with Sanofi to ensure supply of medications.

“I encourage all parents to learn more about this virus and to take advantage of our free program today. The Miles ­government is committed to providing Queenslanders with access to the healthcare they need … Together with Queensland Health, we will continue to monitor the program’s effectiveness closely to ensure the best possible protection for our most vulnerable Queenslanders,” Ms Fentiman said.