RSV season ramps up as government examines whether to expand free vaccine access
As winter nears and the cold and flu season sets in, the highly infectious respiratory virus RSV has again begun its spread.
So far this year, the National Disease Surveillance System (NDSS) has recorded more than 49,000 cases.
More than half of those cases have occurred in New South Wales, but all states and territories have experienced a rise in RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, infections.
The RSV season typically occurs from May to September.
Since it became a notifiable disease in 2021, a record number of 175,914 RSV cases were recorded by the NDSS in 2024, the highest on record.
Pregnant women and some babies can access an RSV vaccine for free through Medicare or state-based programs, but other groups, including older Australians will have to pay. And the cost can be steep.
Here's what you need to know about getting vaccinated.
RSV is a highly contagious virus that is spread through droplets.
You're at risk of contracting RSV when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes near you, where the virus can enter your body through your eyes, mouth or nose.
It can also be contracted when you touch a contaminated surface and don't wash your hands before touching your face.
Usually, the first symptoms are:
These symptoms tend to clear up on their own within a couple of weeks for adults who are in otherwise good health.
However, RSV can be serious for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions as it may lead to complications such as pneumonia, which can be life threatening.
Yes, and the Australian Immunisation Handbook, put out by the Australian government, recommends RSV vaccines for certain population groups, including:
Only pregnant women who are enrolled or eligible for Medicare can currently access the Abrysvo RSV vaccine for free under the federal government's National Immunisation Program.
The government's $174.5 million investment kicked off in February 3 this year.
Eligible infants and young children can also receive an RSV immunisation called Nirsevimab, also known as Beyfortus, for free through state and territory-funded programs, without the need for Medicare.
The vaccine works by directly providing antibodies to the infant, providing immediate protection against RSV for up to six months.
While the vaccines for eligible children are free, some providers may charge a service fee for the procedure.
To find out more about child immunisations, visit the health website for your state or territory.
Everyone else needs to purchase the vaccine, which can come at a steep cost.
One Australian pharmacy chain advertises a dose of the Abrysvo RSV vaccine at more than $330.
The high price of the vaccine itself, in addition to the cost of seeing a GP to get a prescription and have the injection administered if required, can be cost prohibitive.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is advocating for free access to RSV vaccines for everyone recommended by the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Dr Ramya Raman, the RACGP vice-president, said the vaccine had already been a "gamechanger" for the community.
Case numbers have fallen since RSV vaccines and the monoclonal antibody were introduced, with 56,303 cases recorded from January to April 2024 compared with 40,380 for the same time period this year, according to data from the NDSS.
Dr Raman said the RSV vaccine's proven success at reducing the number of infections and hospitalisations means "we've got to look at this as an opportunity and call for the expansion of it".
"Given how common how this condition is and the effectiveness of the vaccinations it would be wonderful to see this within the schedule."
This comes in light of the 2024 Annual Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report from the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control, which states that older Australians are more likely to die from RSV than younger Australians.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is in charge of recommending what vaccines be made available for free in Australia.
In November last year, the PBAC recommended the free provision of the Abrysvo RSV vaccine be expanded to include all adults over 75 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over 60.
But this change to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) has yet to occur.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing said: "Other steps need to be completed before a vaccine can be given final approval for NIP listing."
"These include negotiations with the relevant pharmaceutical company; finalisation of conditions for listing; quality and availability checks; and final consideration by the government," the spokesperson said.
They said the PBAC advised the department that "economic inputs should be revised for Abrysvo to become cost effective before it can be accepted for NIP listing".
And while they said the government's considerations and decisions "cannot be pre-empted", they did confirm the department "is currently reviewing the PBAC outcome and is actively working with the vaccine sponsor on next steps".
Health authorities recommend maintaining good hygiene practices to limit the spread of the virus.
The government-funded service Healthdirect advises people to take the following steps:
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