Australia ramps up RSV vaccination for seniors and expectant mothers

Pam, a 55‑year‑old Australian with asthma, described a severe bout of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that forced her into hospital. She said, “I got RSV really bad,” and recounted persistent wheezing, chest congestion and night‑time breathing difficulties that lingered long after discharge.

During RSV Awareness Week, the Australian Medical Association urged the public to discuss RSV vaccination with their GP. AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen warned, “This week is an important reminder not to be complacent about a virus that can have serious consequences,” adding that many still view RSV as “just a bad cold.” The association highlighted that RSV accounted for 587 deaths and was the third‑most common cause of hospitalisation among older Australians last year. Funded vaccines are now available under the National Immunisation Program for people aged 75 years and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and over, and for pregnant women to protect newborns. More than 225,000 mothers have received the maternal RSV vaccine, contributing to a 9 % decline in RSV cases among young children from 86,000 in 2024 to 78,000 in 2025. The AMA’s “Have the Jab Chat” campaign encourages Australians to consult their GP about RSV and other winter vaccines such as flu and COVID‑19 shots.