Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation
- RSV is a common, highly infectious virus that can lead to severe illness, hospitalisation and complications, particularly in very young children and older adults.
- RSV infects the airways and lungs and spreads easily by coughing and sneezing.
- Symptoms include a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever and reduced appetite. RSV infection can make breathing difficult and cause wheezing.
- RSV can spread quickly in crowded or close-contact environments, including residential aged care homes, childcare centres and schools.
- RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalisation in Western Australia (WA).
- Prior to the introduction of immunisation programs, approximately 1000 WA infants were hospitalised for RSV every year.
- RSV immunisation is recommended for newborns, young children with certain medical risk factors, pregnant women, Aboriginal people and/or adults with medical risk conditions aged 60 or older, and all people aged 75 or older.
- In WA, eligible people can get the RSV immunisation for free (eligibility depends on age and risk factors).
- Immunisation is a safe and effective way to protect against serious disease caused by RSV.
The risk of spreading RSV can be reduced by practicing good hygiene. To learn more information about RSV, refer to Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
People recommended to have the immunisation
Pregnant women and babies
In WA there are 2 options to protect your baby against RSV infection.
- Maternal RSV vaccination (Abrysvo)
A maternal RSV vaccine is recommended and available to all pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy, during every pregnancy.
One dose of Abrysvo provides RSV antibodies that cross the placenta and help protect your baby from birth to 6 months, when they are most at risk. You can receive Abrysvo at the same time as other maternal vaccines, such as whooping cough (pertussis) and influenza.
- Infant immunisation (Beyfortus, also known as nirsevimab)
Beyfortus is available statewide between 1 April and 30 September each year and is available in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions year-round due to continuous RSV circulation in these areas.
In line with the above timelines, the following infants and children under 2 years of age, are eligible for Beyfortus if:
- their mother was not vaccinated in pregnancy, or received Abrysvo less than 2 weeks prior to delivery
- they have a medical risk condition
- their mother was immunosuppressed while pregnant
- they are Aboriginal and/or have a medical risk condition born after 1 October and are entering their second RSV season, regardless of their mother’s Abrysvo vaccination status.
Beyfortus can be safely administered at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines, including the birth dose Hepatitis B vaccine.
Speak with your immunisation provider for more information about medical conditions that can increase the risk of RSV-related illness.
If you are unsure about eligibility, please use this helpful tool (external site) provided by The Kids Research Institute.
Learn more about infant and maternal RSV immunisation (PDF 1.1MB)
Note: Beyfortus is available regardless of eligibility for Medicare benefits.
Older adults
In WA, the following older adults are eligible for a free Arexvy RSV vaccine year-round:
- adults aged 60 to less than 75 years and meet one of the following criteria:
- live in a Residential Aged Care Home
- receive Commonwealth Support at Home*
- live in Specialist Disability Accommodation**
- live in Residential Mental Health Services
- are experiencing homelessness
- are in a correctional facility
- adults aged 50 to less than 60 years who meet one of the above criteria and:
- are Aboriginal, or
- have a medical risk factor for severe RSV disease.
- all Aboriginal adults aged 60 years and over
- all adults aged 75 years and over.
*Excludes persons on Support at Home waitlist and those on Commonwealth Home Support Package (CHSP)
**Excludes persons on Special Disability Accommodation (SDA) waitlist or receiving supported independent living (SIL)
Arexvy RSV vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, such as COVID-19, influenza, shingles and pneumococcal vaccines. Speak to your immunisation provider for more information.
While the vaccines are free for eligible people, provider consultation fees may apply.
Learn more about RSV immunisation for older adults (PDF 441KB)
People not recommended to have the immunisation
The vaccine should not be given to people who have had:
- anaphylaxis after a previous dose of same RSV immunisation
- anaphylaxis after any component of an RSV immunisation.
Benefits and risks
Benefits
Before the introduction of RSV immunisation, approximately 1000 babies were hospitalised each winter in WA due to severe RSV infection. RSV continues to be the most common reason babies are hospitalised, but immunisation has significantly reduced RSV-related hospital admissions.
Adults aged 60 years and over who are vaccinated against RSV are 83 per cent less likely to have RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease and 94 per cent less likely to develop severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease.
Risks
Any medicine, including vaccines, can have potentially serious side effects, such as severe allergic reaction, however, the risk of this is extremely small. For more information on possible side effects, see below.
Possible side effects
Common side effects
Common side effects of RSV immunisations are usually mild, occur soon after vaccination, last 1 to 2 days, and resolve without special treatment. These can include:
- pain, redness or swelling where the needle was given
- fever
- fatigue
- headache
- muscle pains.
Learn more about possible side effects, how to manage them, and what to do when you have concerns about side effects.
Serious side effects
Vaccines, like all medicine, can cause side effects. Serious reactions, such as a severe allergic reaction, are extremely rare and usually happen within minutes to a few hours after vaccination. Immunisation providers are trained to recognise and manage allergic reactions.
You can learn more about possible side effects of vaccination and what to do if they occur.
When to seek help
If you or someone you care for experiences a reaction that you are concerned about, seek medical advice:
- tell your immunisation provider if you’re still at the clinic
- see your doctor
- phone 1800MEDICARE (1800 633 422)
- visit your hospital emergency department
- call an ambulance.
Concerns about side effects
Your immunisation provider should report all suspected significant reactions, but you can also make a report.
Report any reaction that causes concern, whether minor or serious, to the Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system (external site) – WA’s central reporting service for significant adverse events (reactions) following immunisation.
Report it:
WAVSS may contact you for further information.
For more information visit
Reporting side effects after immunisation
Where to get immunised
RSV Immunisation is available at:
Some immunisation providers may charge a consultation fee for administering the vaccine. You should check if there are any costs when making an appointment with your chosen immunisation provider.
For further information contact your immunisation provider. Find out where you can get immunised
Where to get help
Last reviewed: 01-10-2026
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.