The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has welcomed a new Victorian Government program to provide free respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines to residents aged 60 and over in public and Aboriginal community controlled aged care services.
"This is an important new initiative that'll protect thousands of our most vulnerable patients," said Deputy Chair of the RACGP Victoria Faculty, Dr Palmyra De Banks.
"Every year, a raft of respiratory infections, including RSV, sweeps through aged care centres, putting older Victorians at risk.
"Protecting aged care residents, who are often among the most vulnerable members of our communities, from these life-threatening illnesses is vital. This is an excellent move by the Victorian Government."
This follows national advocacy for free RSV vaccinations for older patients by the RACGP.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said: "We continue to advocate for free RSV vaccines for all of our at-risk populations, and it's fantastic to see programs like this being introduced.
"Respiratory syncytial virus has a huge impact on our communities each year. It's highly contagious – babies are at greatest risk, but other children, seniors, and patients with chronic health conditions can experience a severe infection too.
"We welcomed free RSV immunisation for babies as a fantastic move last year, but we can keep more Victorians safe.
"Just this morning, I was on the radio with a Gippsland woman who'd had to take three-and-a-half weeks off work. She said it seemed like the worst virus she'd had in her life and was still experiencing exhaustion and other symptoms. As we say about the flu, it's not just another cold.
"Nationally, we have already seen RSV case notifications to state health services pass 100,000 this year. More than 20,000 of those were in Victoria, and around 20% of cases were in patients over 60 – so this program is very timely.
"While providing protection for around 5000 older Victorians is an excellent start, vulnerable patients need governments to expand their vaccination programs further to ensure all at-risk populations can and do access recommended vaccines to keep all our communities safe.
"The other patients recommended for vaccination in the Australian Immunisation Handbook are patients with chronic conditions that increase the odds of a severe infection aged over 60, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 60, and all Victorians over 75. They should be able to get a recommended vaccination without facing financial hardship.
"Free RSV vaccines are available for pregnant women thanks to the Federal Government, complemented by state- and territory-funded immunisations for babies who do not already have protection from RSV through the mother's vaccination.
"We continue to call on all governments to expand their programs to include all patients identified as being at risk in the Australian Immunisation Handbook."
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