Wednesday February 5, 2025

Pregnant women between 29 and 36 weeks are now able to access free vaccinations against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an initiative which aims to prevent newborns requiring hospitalisation and save families hundreds of dollars.

The 2025 maternal RSV program commenced on 3 February 2025. RSV bookings for pregnant women are now available at any of our sessions.( For Belmont please use the adult session for RSV vaccination). These are recommended for pregnant women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy but can be given later . vaccination during pregnancy is the safest way for you to protect your baby against the RSV and serious complications.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is now available for eligible pregnant women under the National Immunisation Program.

The RSV maternal vaccine:

• is recommended between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.

• is available for free if patients hold or are eligible for a Medicare card.

• protects newborn babies from birth and in their most vulnerable first few months of life against RSV and serious complications.

Getting a vaccine in pregnancy reduces the risk of severe RSV disease in infants less than 6 months of age by about 70%.

More information on RSV can be found here.

Eligible pregnant women can make a booking at Barwon Health’s Vaccination Centre in Belmont here or call 4215 4444 for any issues. You can also see your GP or participating pharmacies.

The 2025 infant RSV program is due to commence on 1^st April. Infants up to 8months and children up to 2 years may be recommended to receive a single dose

if their mother did not receive the RSV vaccine during pregnancy or
they were born within 2 weeks of their mother receiving the RSV vaccine or
they or their mother have a condition that increases their risk of severe RSV

NIP-factsheet-RSV-vaccine-consumer-fact-sheet