RSV VACCINE

(Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

RSV is a common virus that can cause people to have a mild cold through to more severe infections such as bronchiolitis, bronchitis or pneumonia. Symptoms include runny nose, cough, fever, wheezing, and shortness of breath. If someone has a lung condition such as asthma, it can cause a flare of their asthma.

RSV is quite contagious, and is spread through droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.

It can affect people of all ages. Children under 6 months of age are the most likely to be hospitalised due to this virus, and then in later adulthood, the hospitalisation rate starts to increase again. In Australia, RSV hospitalisations can occur year-round, but most hospitalisations occur in Winter. It is difficult to find accurate data on the number of older adults hospitalised with RSV as testing was previously uncommon.

Vaccine available: We now have a vaccine available against RSV for people aged 60 and over. This vaccination is recommended for all adults aged 75 and older, for First Nations people aged 60 and older, and for adults aged 60 and older with any medical condition that may increase their risk of severe RSV infection. People aged 60-74 who would like to have this vaccine to reduce their risk of infection may also have it.

Conditions that may increase risk include heart disease, lung conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, neurological conditions and conditions that can lower the immune system. Unfortunately this is not Government funded and so a private fee applies (rebates may be available through some private health funds depending on your cover).

We have had a lot of queries about this vaccination, so have created this program to be able to provide this to people who would like to have it.

If you are aged over 60, and you are interested in having the RSV vaccine:
CLICK HERE

to provide us with your details and preferences for payment. There is limited stock available in Australia and so it will be on a first in, first served basis. Prepayment of $330 (total amount) will be required to secure your vaccine. Once you have paid and your vaccine has been reserved, you will receive a booking link to select your appointment time.

Currently, only 1 vaccination is recommended. Should a booster be recommended in the future, we will actively contact those we have vaccinated to ensure you keep up to date with your protection.

FAQ about RSV Vaccine

  1. Is the adult RSV vaccine funded for anyone in Australia?
    No, it is currently only available for private purchase.
  2. Can I have my RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?
    Yes, the adult RSV vaccine can be given with other vaccines such as COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal and shingles. Side effects such as fatigue and muscle aches may be worse when more vaccines are given together but it is considered safe and effective.
  3. What side effects does the adult RSV vaccine cause?
    Common side effects reported include pain/redness at the site of injection, fatigue, headaches and muscle pains. They were generally reported as mild to moderate and lasted only a few days. Other side effects were very rare and not statistically significant but will continue to be monitored.
  4. If I have had an RSV infection, can I/should I have the vaccine?
    Protection after natural infection is not long-lasting and re-infection is common, so having the RSV vaccine is recommended (in the relevant cohort) and likely to be beneficial.
  5. How effective is the vaccine in preventing severe infection?
    In a large clinical trial, adults aged 60+ who received the adult RSV vaccine were 83% less likely to have RSV associated lower respiratory tract infection, and 94% less likely to have a severe RSV -associated lower respiratory tract infection through a single RSV season at 10 months follow-up. Across 2 seasons, up to 22 months post vaccination, there was a vaccine effectiveness of 67%. At this stage, boosters are not recommended but data will help inform this decision going forward.
  6. I am aged 60-74 and have no risk factors for severe infection, but I would like to have this vaccine. Is that, ok?
    Yes, if you are aged >60, you can have the vaccine. The benefit to having this may not be as large as those who do have risk factors or who are aged 75+, but it is still shown to reduce risks of infection and severe infection.

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