What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
RSV is a common virus that can infect people of all ages. It is highly infectious and can cause a range of respiratory illnesses – from mild colds to severe conditions like bronchiolitis (inflammation of the airways) or pneumonia (infection of the lungs).
RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation in infants and young children in Queensland. Almost all children experience at least one RSV infection within the first two years of life. While most people with RSV will recover in about a week, some people, particularly infants and young children, can become very unwell and need hospitalisation. Immunisation is the best way to protect your baby from RSV.
What is the Queensland Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention (QPRSVP) Program?
The QPRSVP Program provides free RSV immunisation with the medicine nirsevimab. Free RSV immunisation is now available for eligible Queensland infants and young children
Who is eligible for free RSV immunisation?
The following infants and young children will be eligible for free RSV immunisation with nirsevimab:
- All infants born on or from 1 February 2024: This will be offered at birth or before discharge from hospital. Infants born on or after the program start date who were not immunised at birth, can still access RSV immunisation in the community until they turn 8 months of age.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants less than 8 months of age.
- Infants with certain complex medical conditions less than 8 months of age.
- Infants with certain complex medical conditions 8 months to less than 20 months of age, until 31 October 2024.