- Eligible Western Australians urged to protect themselves against RSV
- More than 1,100 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalisations recorded this year
- Free RSV and influenza immunisations still available for those eligible
- More than 100,000 Western Australians over 65 have accessed RSV vaccines for the first time
- Free FluMist offering helps boost childhood vaccination by 33 per cent
Western Australians are being urged to protect themselves against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as respiratory illnesses continue to place pressure on the State's health system.
More than 1,100 people have been hospitalised with RSV so far this year, with older adults, infants, and people with underlying medical conditions at greatest risk of serious illness.
Free RSV immunisation continues to be available for eligible groups including pregnant women, infants and young children, older Western Australians, and other at-risk adults.
More than 100,000 Western Australians over the age of 65 have accessed RSV vaccinations, supported by the free RSV vaccination programs introduced this year through the Cook Labor Government and Commonwealth Government.
But the number of infants and eligible children aged under 2 years of age receiving their free RSV immunisation has fallen since last year.
The reminder comes as hundreds of thousands of Western Australians got vaccinated against influenza this year.
In April the Cook Labor Government set aspirational public immunisation targets to drive uptake and track progress towards increasing vaccination rates over time.
There has been a slight increase in influenza vaccinations for the total population in comparison to 2025, with 28.5 per cent of Western Australians receiving a free influenza vaccination.
There has been a notable boost to immunisation rates for six-month-olds to 12-year-olds, with a 33 per cent increase in vaccinations in comparison to 2025, driven by the introduction of the needle-free option FluMist. Influenza vaccination rates for Western Australians aged over 65 are slightly down on last year.
Free influenza vaccine remains available year-round for eligible groups under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), including:
- people aged 65 years or over;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over;
- children aged six months to under five years;
- pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy; and
- people aged six months or over who have medical conditions that mean they have a higher risk of getting serious disease.
Western Australians are also reminded to stay home if unwell, practise good hand hygiene, and consider wearing a mask if experiencing respiratory symptoms or visiting people at higher risk of serious illness.
For information on where to receive your free RSV vaccination and hospital demand this winter, visit access.health.wa.gov.au/winter-watch
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"I'd like to thank the hundreds of thousands of Western Australians who got vaccinated against influenza, including the many families who chose the free needle-free FluMist option for their children.
"Almost half the children who received FluMist this year had not received an influenza vaccine in 2025, making FluMist a game changer for WA families this year.
"This season we are seeing more Western Australians being hospitalised due to RSV.
"RSV can cause serious illness, particularly in older adults, babies, and people with underlying health conditions.
"If you haven't yet received your RSV or influenza vaccination and are eligible for a free vaccination, please visit the Access Health website to arrange a free vaccination to protect yourself and stop the spread.
"Parents and care givers for eligible children aged under two should also make the most of this free program.
"Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself and help reduce pressure on our hospitals this winter."
