Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation

Pregnant women and babies

In WA there are 2 options to protect your baby against RSV infection.

Maternal RSV vaccination (Abrysvo)

Option A: a maternal RSV vaccine recommended and available to all pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy, during every pregnancy.

Getting one dose of Abrysvo makes RSV antibodies that cross the placenta and help protect your baby from birth for up to 6 months, when they are most at risk. You can get Abrysvo at the same time as other maternal vaccines such as whooping cough (pertussis) and influenza.

Infant immunisation (Beyfortus, also known as nirsevimab)

Option B: an immunisation available for infants and eligible children under 2 years of age. Babies can receive Beyfortus at the same time as other routine vaccines, but it is best administered before they leave the birthing hospital.

If you didn’t receive Abrysvo during pregnancy, your baby should be immunised with Beyfortus before they leave hospital, as it begins protecting them from RSV almost immediately.  Some newborns whose mother received Abrysvo, and certain children, may still need a Beyfortus immunisation if they are at high risk of RSV-related illness.  Speak with your immunisation provider for more information about medical conditions that can increase the risk of RSV-related illness.

In 2026, Beyfortus is available statewide between 1 April and 30 September (excluding Kimberley and Pilbara regions who have year-round programs) and offered to:

• infants born between 1 April and 30 September 2026 if:
  • they have a medical risk condition
  • their mother was immunosuppressed while pregnant
  • their mother received Abrysvo less than 2 weeks prior to delivery
• all infants born between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026, regardless of a mother’s Abrysvo vaccination status and child’s medical risk conditions (this can be given anytime from 1 April to 30 June)
• Aboriginal children and/or children with a medical risk condition born between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025

This guidance applies throughout WA, except in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, where RSV immunisation is available to newborns and young children throughout the year, due to continuous RSV circulation in these areas.

If you are unsure about eligibility, please use this helpful tool (external site) provided by The Kids Research Institute.

What you need to know (fact sheet for WA consumers) (PDF 1.1MB)

Note:  Beyfortus is available regardless of eligibility for Medicare benefits.

Older adults

From 15 May, you are eligible for a free government funded RSV vaccine (provider consultation fees may apply) if you are:

• aged 75 years and over
• aged 60 years and over and are Aboriginal
• aged 60 to 74 and
  • living in a Residential Aged Care Home
  • receiving Commonwealth Support at Home*
  • living in Specialist Disability Accommodation**
  • in Residential Mental Health Services
  • experiencing homelessness, or
  • in a correctional facility
• aged 50-59 meeting one of the above criteria and
  • are Aboriginal, or
  • have a risk factor for severe RSV disease.

*Excludes persons on Support at Home waitlist and those on Commonwealth Home Support Package (CHSP)

**Excludes persons on SDA waitlist or receiving supported independent living (SIL)

Arexvy RSV vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, such as COVID-19, influenza, shingles and pneumococcal vaccines. Speak to your immunisation provider for more information.

The only absolute contraindications to the RSV immunisations are:

• anaphylaxis after a previous dose of same RSV immunisation
• anaphylaxis after any component of an RSV immunisation.

Benefits

Before the introduction of RSV immunisation, approximately 1,000 babies were hospitalised each winter in WA due to severe RSV infection. RSV continues to be the most common reason babies are hospitalised, but immunisation has significantly reduced RSV-related hospital admissions

Adults aged 60 years and over who are vaccinated against RSV are 83 per cent less likely to have RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease and 94 per cent less likely to develop severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease.

Risks

Any medicine, including vaccines, can have potentially serious side effects, such as severe allergic reaction. However, the risk of this is extremely small. For more information on possible side effects, see below.

RSV immunisations are safe and effective.

All vaccines, products and medicines available in Australia pass strict safety testing before being approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (external site).

The WA Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system, and the national AusVaxSafety program continue to closely monitor the type and rate of immunisation reactions to ensure immunisations remain safe for the community. Visit AusVaxSafety for more information (external site).

For more information about the efficacy of RSV immunisations, visit the National Centre for Immunisations Research and Surveillance (NCIRS). Learn more about vaccination safety.

RSV Immunisation is available at:

• GPs (General Practices)
• pharmacies (for pregnant women and older adults)
• Aboriginal medical services (external site)
• community health clinics (external site)
• antenatal clinics (for babies)
• maternity hospitals (for babies)
• residential aged care facilities (eligible older adults).

Some immunisation providers may charge a consultation fee for administering the vaccine. You should check if there are any costs when making an appointment with your chosen immunisation provider. 

For further information contact your immunisation provider. Find out where you can get immunised

Common side effects

These symptoms normally occur soon after you receive the vaccine, last one to 2 days, and resolve without requiring special treatment.

Common side effects of RSV immunisation include:

• pain, redness or swelling where the needle was given
• fever
• fatigue
• headache
• muscle pains.

Learn more about possible side effects, how to manage them, and what to do when you have concerns about side effects.

Serious side effects

Any medicine, including the RSV immunisation, can have potentially serious side effects such as severe allergic reactions.

However, the risk of a serious adverse event following immunisation is extremely small. If severe allergic reactions occur, they usually begin within a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the vaccine. Immunisation providers are trained to manage allergic reactions to vaccines.

If you or someone in your care experiences a reaction that you are concerned about, seek medical advice:

• see your doctor
• phone healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222
• visit your hospital emergency department, or
• call an ambulance.

When to seek help

Serious reactions, like allergic reactions, are extremely rare. If you have an unexpected reaction or are unsure about any symptoms, speak with your immunisation provider.

If you are experiencing a reaction that is severe or life-threatening you should call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to your closest emergency department.

Learn more about the possible side effects of vaccination and how to manage them. 

Reporting possible vaccine reactions

Any side effects causing concern, whether minor or serious, should be reported to the Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system (external site).

The WAVSS system is the central reporting service in WA for any significant adverse events following immunisation.

If you have experienced a significant adverse event (reaction) to a vaccine you can report it:

• through the WA Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system (external site) website
• by phoning WAVSS on (08) 6456 0208 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

Your immunisation provider should report all suspected significant reactions, but you can also make a report.  If you report a possible reaction to vaccination, WAVSS staff may contact you for further information.

For more information visit Reporting side effects after immunisation