Free vaccine to protect Qld mums and kids from RSV

Pregnant Queenslanders can now be vaccinated against a potentially deadly respiratory virus for free under a $13.5m state government program, but there is still no decision on free flu jabs.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls during Parliament.

Pregnant Queenslanders can now be vaccinated against a potentially deadly respiratory virus for free under a $13.5m state government program.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls on Monday revealed the state government would pull the trigger early on free vaccinations against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for expectant mothers.

But Queenslanders are still no closer to knowing if the state will again fund a free flu jab program in 2025 with the new government crying poor over a lack of cash put in by the recently-ousted Labor administration.

The $13.5m RSV program will help protect the vulnerable cohort in advance of the national scheme which kicks in ahead of the 2025 winter.

Extending the free program to pregnant women builds on the former government’s landmark decision to provide RSV vaccines for free to newborns aged up to 8 months and those aged up to two years if they were at increased risk of becoming severely ill.

Queensland has recorded more than 39,400 RSV cases across the state so far this year, with around 400 new cases recorded each week currently.

Overall the state’s free RSV program could help nearly 1000 children avoid hospital in the first half of 2025.

Outgoing chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said as of late November there had been 372 fewer hospitalisations among babies aged under six months compared to the same time last year.

“We know we can do better and that’s why expanding the program is great news,” he said.

“If immunisation occurs during pregnancy, healthy babies will not need to be immunised against RSV themselves.

“Eligible infants and young children who are at the highest risk of severe RSV disease and not protected by maternal immunisation will continue to be offered immunisation through the RSV pediatric immunisation program.”

Mr Nicholls has still not yet confirmed if the state will fund free flu jabs again in 2025, despite doctors calling for a quick decision.

The state government had provided free flu jabs for all Queenslanders for three years running.

The Australian Medical Association of Queensland has called for the newly-minted LNP government to do so again in order to relieve pressure on the health system.

Mr Nicholls previously revealed he wanted to consider the program’s efficiency before making a decision and would raise the issue at the next national meeting of health ministers in December.

His office referred the Courier-Mail back to comments made by Premier David Crisafulli in parliament, which noted the former government hadn’t budgeted for another of flu jabs in 2025.
The program cost about $40m over two years to run. Queensland Health’s total budget is worth $28.9bn.

Originally published as Free vaccine to protect Qld mums and kids from RSV