WA infants to be offered immunisation against RSV

Western Australian babies will soon be among the first in the Southern Hemisphere to be offered immunisation against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — a highly infectious virus that infects more than 65% of all infants in their first year of life.

While RSV impacts the whole community, young babies have tiny airways and are more likely to have a serious outcome following an RSV infection — including potential hospitalisation and an increased risk of developing childhood asthma. Now, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has registered the RSV antibody Beyfortus (nirsevimab) for the prevention of RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease in all infants entering their first RSV season, and for children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.

Nirsevimab is a long-acting antibody which attaches to a protein on the surface of the RSV virus, blocking it from entering the body’s cells (especially cells in the lungs) if the child becomes infected with the virus. A single, intramuscular injection is administered to the infant immediately prior to or during the RSV winter season, depending on their birth date, covering them for the duration of the season (typically May through to September in the Southern Hemisphere).

The RSV antibody was introduced in the United States, France, Germany, Spain and Luxemburg during the most recent Northern Hemisphere winter, with uptake among eligible infants often exceeding 80% coverage. In these jurisdictions, and in clinical trials, immunisation with nirsevimab has proven to be approximately 80% at preventing RSV-associated infant hospitalisations.

Western Australia has now become the first state or territory in Australia to confirm a state-funded immunisation program using Beyfortus, with doses due to arrive in preparation for winter when seasonal outbreaks of RSV often occur in young children. Infants under eight months will be eligible for RSV immunisation at GP practices, Community Health Clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services that provide childhood immunisations. Immunisations will be available for newborns before they leave hospital, and for those aged 8–19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV.

“We have seen how effective nirsevimab has been in the Northern Hemisphere, and we are excited to be providing WA families with an opportunity to protect their young infants from serious illness and hospitalisation,” said WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson.

Image caption: RSV is the number one cause of hospitalisation in Australian infants.