Free RSV Vaccine Available During Pregnancy

A free vaccine to help protect babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is available for pregnant women in Australia.

RSV is a common virus that affects the airways and lungs and can lead to serious respiratory illnesses in newborns and infants, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

The RSV vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for women who are 28 to 36 weeks pregnant.

This program provides free vaccines against certain diseases, to increase national immunisation rates and reduce vaccine preventable disease. Vaccinations take place from birth through to adulthood, including during pregnancy.

Getting vaccinated during pregnancy helps protect babies from birth, with studies showing it can reduce the risk of severe RSV illness in babies aged under six months by around 70%.

These immunisations will reduce hospitalisation rates and keep an estimated 10,000 infants out of hospital each year.

Pregnant women can safely receive the RSV vaccine at the same time as other free and recommended maternal vaccines, influenza and whooping cough, which are already available for free on the NIP for pregnant women.

To learn more, speak wioth your healthcare provider or visit: https://www.health.gov.au/maternal-vaccinations