Winter respiratory illnesses are sometimes considered a nuisance that may keep you in bed and away from work or school for just a few days. But if you might have a severe infection, they could take you to the hospital.
Most persons are acquainted with the influenza and COVID vaccines, that are really useful for people who find themselves at high risk of severe infection. But they don’t protect against one other virus, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which trend Cause serious illness in young children and elderly people.
To reduce this risk, the federal government announced yesterday that a vaccine can be developed to forestall RSV. Available for free. From 15 May for older people in Australia.
So who’s eligible? And what should you think about when you’re fascinated with getting vaccinated?
Remind me, what’s RSV?
RSV is a virus just like influenza that causes severe respiratory illness within the winter. In temperate regions, reported RSV case no increase in the autumn and winter and frequently peaks in June and July, just before or around flu season.
RSV Spreads Person to person, either directly through contaminated fluids or not directly from contaminated surfaces. People could be contagious before reporting symptoms and for about three to eight days after symptoms start.
Like influenza, most infections are mild, with cough, fever, sore throat and runny nose.
In some people, the infection can then reach the lungs, causing viral pneumonia, wheezing and difficulty respiratory.
RSV can even. damaged Pre-existing diseases, especially chronic lung diseases, and complications equivalent to heart attack and stroke.
The highest risk group for RSV is young children. Encouragingly, a prevention program that mixes a maternal RSV vaccine with a monoclonal antibody (called nirsivumab) in infants successful In reducing morbidity in children.
Also the RSV Reasons Acute infection and death within the elderly. In 2025, there was RSV The third most common reason Among older adults hospitalized with respiratory viral infections, following influenza and COVID. In 2025, 587 deaths RSV included in Australia.
What is the brand new RSV vaccine?
The vaccine, called Arexvy, can be available to adults age 75 and older and First Nations people age 60 and older. It is the one dose given as an injection.
Unlike influenza, which requires an updated vaccine annually, RSV has fewer genetic mutations. Protection is visible. The last At least two to 3 years.
Although protection appears to wane over several years, there aren’t any current recommendations for subsequent (booster) doses.
A unique vaccine, Abrysvo, is offered to guard infants in pregnancy. It can be available for older adults but just isn’t funded. Although clinical trials haven’t compared these vaccines head-to-head, they seem to supply broadly similar protection.
There are also RSV vaccines. RecommendedFor people over 60 years of age with medical risk aspects, but not financially supported. This includes individuals with heart, respiratory, neurological and liver conditions, immune conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and obesity.
A 3rd vaccine, mResvia, an mRNA vaccine just like the Covid vaccine, Approved But not yet available in Australia. In clinical trials, the vaccine appears to be widely used. similar For other vaccines, by way of safety and unwanted side effects.
How effective are RSV vaccines?
The original clinical trials primarily evaluated protection against any confirmed disease. In these studies, the RSV vaccine was shown to Reduce disease More than 80% from RSV in the primary season after vaccination.
Subsequent studies have checked out protection against hospitalization, as a marker of severe infection. This study from The United States And Great Britain suggest that it also reduces the chance of hospitalization with RSV. People who’re vaccinated but get RSV have a milder illness and are less prone to be hospitalized.
In Australia, the vaccine was first approved to be used in people over 60 years of age in 2024.
Similar national programs for RSV vaccine in older adults have been step by step introduced in lots of. European countriesincluding Swedenin addition to UK And US.
Is the RSV vaccine protected?
In older adults, unwanted side effects after Arexvy are just like other vaccines. gave The most common Reported unwanted side effects were:
- Pain on the injection site
- Fatigue
- headache
- General muscle and joint pain.
These are often mild to moderate in severity and resolve in a day or so. These unwanted side effects are mild. more common If the RSV vaccine is given concurrently the influenza vaccine.
Very few cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disease, have been reported after RSV vaccine. It was dangerous. Estimated About two cases per 100,000 people vaccinated.
However, it is necessary to notice that RSV is an infection. Also attached Risk just like that after vaccination, with a better risk of developing Guillain-Barré syndrome within the absence of vaccination.
How can I get the vaccine?
Free vaccines can be found from 15 May at GP clinics, pharmacies, community health centers and Aboriginal health services. The easiest strategy to discover a provider is to make use of HealthDirect. Service finder. Find your location under “Immunizations,” but call ahead to examine in the event that they have the equipment available.
A free RSV vaccine can be available to all adults over 75 and First Nations people over 60. Pregnant women After 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Babies will also be protected after birth using an immunization product called nirsevimab.
For people over 60, especially those with chronic medical conditions, the vaccine is offered but at a price on the private market. About A$300.