The Malinauskas Labor Government is protecting South Australian babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with a new immunisation program helping to significantly reduce infections and keep infants out of hospital.
The program includes a free RSV vaccine for pregnant women and a free infant RSV immunisation with monoclonal antibody for babies and young children who need extra protection against RSV.
Since the launch of the free RSV immunisation program earlier this year by the Malinauskas and Albanese Labor governments, more than 70 per cent of eligible pregnant women have been vaccinated and more than 3,400 infants have received the monoclonal antibody in South Australia.
Already this year there has been an almost 50 per cent reduction in notifications of RSV infection in infants less than one year of age compared to 2024. This is despite there being no significant reduction in case numbers for all other age groups.
In addition, there has been a 50 per cent reduction in the number of infants with RSV requiring hospitalisation, from 18 per cent in 2024 to just nine per cent this year.
Early analysis suggests that the majority of the 79 infants aged under one who have been hospitalised this year with RSV had not yet been protected by immunisation.
The strong uptake of the program, along with early results suggesting a very significant drop in RSV hospitalisation numbers, is promising for the future of the program and its potential to keep our youngest South Australians safe against the risks of RSV.
RSV infection is particularly dangerous for babies, with the illness impacting breathing, feeding and the ability to maintain oxygen levels. Full recovery can take many days or weeks.
The RSV Maternal and Infant Protection Program began in February, with the core program offering maternal vaccination during pregnancy, funded by the Federal Government, to provide protection for infants from birth.
The infant monoclonal antibody component of the program, funded by the State Government, commenced in April, providing protection for those infants less than eight months of age whose mothers were not able to be vaccinated during pregnancy. It's also available for children up to two years of age who have health conditions that place them at higher risk of RSV.
A comprehensive evaluation of the SA program is being planned which will include critical analysis of the effectiveness of the immunisation program on rates of RSV infection and hospitalisation among infants, along with an assessment of program roll-out.
For more information about RSV symptoms, treatment and prevention, visit the SA Health website.
As put by Chris Picton
RSV can be very dangerous for babies. It's fantastic that our immunisation program is helping to protect them.
There's been an excellent uptake of the program, with a significant reduction in infections and hospitalisations of babies.
Nobody wants to see their baby struggle to breathe, which is why we want to ensure all eligible infants receive protection against RSV infection.
As put by Department of Health and Wellbeing Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier
I am very pleased to see the strong uptake of the RSV Maternal and Infant Protection Program by South Australian families making a very real differences to the lives of young infants and their families.
The maternal vaccine allows protective antibodies made by mothers to pass through to babies prior to birth, ensuring their little ones are protected against RSV at a time they're most vulnerable – from birth and through their first winter season. Importantly, for the mums who haven't had the option of being vaccinated against RSV, we have the monoclonal antibody available as a back-up – which helps ensure that all South Australian newborns can stay safe against the effects of RSV infection.
The RSV Maternal and Infant Protection Program is now available and easily accessible through your local GP, public hospital, local council immunisation program, pharmacies, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Aboriginal health services.
