Push to expand RSV immunisation as cases surge in NSW

Health experts are calling for the expansion of the RSV immunisation program for babies in NSW, as cases of the respiratory illness surge around the state.

At just a week old, tiny twin brothers Callum and Sam Bordley were hooked up to machines, struggling to breathe on their own as a virus attacked their little bodies.

They are two of almost 33,000 babies and young children who have caught RSV this year – with experts calling for the expansion of the state’s immunisation program, with the jab currently only available to “high-risk” babies.

Respiratory syncytial virus is a common yet unpredictable virus, that attacks the lungs, with severe symptoms including cough, shortness of breath and a greater effort to breathe, fever and a blue tint to skin.

Dr Nusrat Homaira, a senior lecturer at the School of Clinical Medicine at UNSW and a respiratory scientist within the respiratory department of Sydney Children’s Hospital, said the majority of children were infected in the first two years of their lives.

“Cases in the first six months of life can be the most severe,” she said. “It’s so problematic because it happens early on, when the immune system is not developed and can’t fight the virus.”

Callum and Sam contracted RSV respiratory virus shortly after birth and needed intensive care. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

While an RSV immunisation is available in NSW, it is only for a small number of infants who are born premature, are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or have particular health conditions.

In Queensland and WA, however, the immunisation was recently made available to all newborns in hospital.

Lauren Bordley with the twins, who are now four months old. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The bubs were just four days old when they contracted RSV. Picture: Supplied

Feeling robbed of the first few weeks in the newborn bubble, and her chance to properly bond with her babies, Callum and Sam’s mum Lauren Bordley wants to see the immunisation available to all NSW babies.

Her boys were hospitalised with RSV at just one week old, after testing positive to RSV just four days after their birth.

“They were fine until they weren’t, and then they went downhill very quickly,” Ms Bordley said.

“They were born healthy and to see them so little and so sick was really scary.”

The twins were taken to Nepean Hospital, where they were provided with oxygen support and tube feeds.

However, Callum started developing apnoea symptoms – meaning he would stop breathing at times – and required a Newborn Emergency Transport Service transfer to Sydney Children’s Hospital for intensive care.

Twelve hours later, Sam was also transferred to Sydney Children’s Hospital after his breathing became laboured.

Lauren and Zac Bordley said seeing their babies so sick was terrifying. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“It was really, really bad,” Ms Bordley said.

“Of course I wonder what would have happened if they had the immunisation, whether they would ever have been in hospital.

“Sam is a lot more sensitive than Callum and I wonder if that was because I couldn’t hold him for a week (while he was intubated).

“He was so new and I think about how much it affected his bonding.”

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the virus was a priority, however it’s understood there are no current plans to expand the immunisation eligibility.

“This mother’s story of her children’s experience with RSV is harrowing and I thank her for sharing that,” he said.

“Our priority remains ensuring vulnerable individuals who require the vaccine have access to it.”

A spokesman for federal Health Minister Mark Butler said he would consider its inclusion on the national immunisation program if recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

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