New mother smiles as she cradles her sleeping baby

Important immunisation program information (RSV)

New mother smiles as she cradles her sleeping baby

A new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) maternal and infant program will commence ahead of winter 2025.

Under the comprehensive program:

  • A single dose of RSV vaccine Abrysvo® will be available for people from 28 weeks of pregnancy under the National Immunisation Schedule (NIP). 
  • Eligible infants up to 8 months old, including infants whose mothers did not have the option to be vaccinated against RSV; and children up to 2 years old with high-risk conditions, will have access to a state-funded Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) monoclonal antibody immunisation.

     

New NIP Schedule

  • An updated SA NIP Schedule is available with 2025 changes including the addition of the Abrysvo® vaccine. 

 

Access training: An RSV immunisation education program has been developed by SA Health for South Australian immunisation providers. For information on this course and to register see Immunisation Provider training and education

 

Maternal infant protection program
Timeframe
  • The RSV vaccine Abrysvo® will be added to the NIP from 3 February 2025.
  • Abrysvo cannot be administered before 3 February 2025 to pregnant women. 
Who can administer
  • Abrysvo® will be accessed through general practices, maternal health specialists, local council immunisation clinics, Aboriginal health services birthing hospitals and pharmacists.
Eligible cohort
  • Abrysvo® is recommended as a single dose for pregnant women from 28 to 36 weeks gestation to protect the infant via passive immunisation.
  • While it is recommended to be given at 28-36 weeks of pregnancy, it is funded and can be given after 36 weeks.
  • Infants are considered protected if their mother was vaccinated at least 2 weeks before delivery.
  • Research has shown that severe RSV disease in infants less than 6 months of age reduces by approximately 70% following maternal immunisation.
  • Abrysvo® is the only RSV vaccine approved for use in pregnant women. Please be alert for potential program errors with the private RSV vaccine Arexvy, which is licensed for use in older adults but not pregnancy.
Reporting
  • All program errors and unexpected adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) must be reported to the SA Health Immunisation Section.
  • All Abrysvo® doses need to be reported to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) under the ‘antenatal’ category.
Ordering from the Vaccine Distribution Centre
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine (Abrysvo®) will be visible on the order form from Monday 20 January 2025.
  • First orders will be delivered from Wednesday 22 January 2025, with routine delivery schedules.  
  • Non-routine/urgent orders will not be available.
  • Abrysvo® will be supplied in single packs only.
More informationSee the SA Health Pregnancy and Immunisation webpage and the Australian Government Immunisation for Pregnancy webpage.

 

RSV infant protection program
Timeframe
  • The Government of South Australia will fund an RSV monoclonal antibody (mAb), Beyfortus® (Nirsevimab) for 2025.
  • The mAb program will be offered during the RSV season, 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025.
Who can administer
  • GPs, maternity, and paediatric hospital services. 
Eligible cohort
More informationMore information on the mAb program will be available prior to the commencement of the program.

 

For more information

  • For further information about RSV, see the RSV fact sheet.
  • For clinical guidance, refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook’s RSV chapter.
  • The SA Health Immunisation Section can be contacted on 1300 232 272.

30 January 2025