Protecting yourself and your family from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms in people of all ages. However, RSV can lead to more severe respiratory illnesses, particularly in infants, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems or comorbidities.
RSV infects most children by 2 years of age and it is a leading cause of hospitalisation due to lower respiratory tract diseases such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants aged < 6 months. Most infants hospitalised with RSV are otherwise healthy with no predisposing conditions. Similarly, RSV infection is an important cause of respiratory disease and hospitalisation in older people or people with risk factors for severe disease.
The good news is that recently, new RSV vaccines have become available and are recommended for certain populations. The RSV vaccine works by boosting your immune system’s ability to fight the virus. Studies have shown it significantly reduces hospitalisations in vulnerable populations. For pregnant women, the vaccine can offer vital protection for newborns during their first few months of life, when they are most vulnerable to severe RSV infection.
RSV vaccination is recommended for:
- all people aged ≥75 years and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged ≥60 years
- people aged ≥60 years with medical risk factors for severe RSV disease including cardiac disease, respiratory conditions, immunocompromising conditions, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, neurological conditions
- pregnant women between 28 – 36 weeks gestation to protect their newborn infant.
Non-Indigenous adults aged 60–74 years who do not have a medical risk factor for severe RSV disease may also consider vaccination. There are benefits of vaccination in this age group, but the benefits may be less than for those aged ≥75 years, because of a comparatively lower risk of severe RSV disease.
Whilst recommended, the RSV vaccines (namely Arexvy and Abrysvo) are not yet government funded and as such needs to be ordered from a pharmacy with a script from your GP. Consult with your doctor to see if the RSV vaccine is right for you or your family to stay protected and take control of your respiratory health.