On Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Awareness Week and as Australia passes 60,000 RSV cases this year so far, GPs are urging federal, state, and territory governments to make the RSV vaccination free for at-risk groups and protect our most vulnerable.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said: "RSV hits our communities hard every year, with serious and sometimes life-threatening consequences for babies, young children, older people, and people with chronic health conditions.
"The Federal Government provides free vaccines for pregnant women to protect them and their babies. And state and territory governments have funded immunisation across the country for babies who do not already have protection from RSV through the mother's vaccination.
"It has been very encouraging to see the Western Australian Government announce this week their RSV immunisation program will continue in 2026 to protect infants during the RSV season.
"But at this stage free vaccines for other at-risk groups are not funded nationally and they vary from state to state.
"What we really need to see now is all vaccines recommended in the Australian Immunisation Handbook to be freely available for every at-risk group."
The handbook recommends RSV vaccination for pregnant women, all people over 75 years of age, and anyone over 60 who is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or who has medical risk factors for severe RSV disease.
"With more than half of reported cases occurring in babies and children aged under four and almost 20% occurring among over 60s, protecting these populations is crucial," Dr Wright said.
"Federal and State Governments must cooperate to ensure all vulnerable groups can access the vaccine for free to keep them safe and reduce the spread of the disease.
"For those wanting to protect themselves from RSV and other vaccine-preventable illnesses this season, your family GP will be able to guide you in which vaccines are recommended and how to look after your health and wellbeing through winter.
"There is no substitute for the quality care you get from a specialist GP who knows you and your history. Together we can reduce the spread of RSV."
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