Vaccine program almost halves RSV hospitalisations of young babies

Katryna Cygler (left) had the RSV vaccine while pregnant. (Supplied: The Kids Research Institute Australia) Researchers say a new vaccination program has almost halved the number of young babies hospitalised with RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. The study was conducted by three major research institutions and involved 13 hospitals across Australia. The highly contagious RSV is a leading cause of hospitalisation in infants under one year of age. Link copiedShareShare articleA new immunisation program for pregnant mothers and newborns has almost halved the number of young babies being hospitalised with a serious respiratory virus, according to a new report. The analysis, which compared 2024 hospitalisation data with 2025 numbers, showed a 43.8 per cent drop in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospital admissions across 13 hospitals Australia-wide in babies under three months old. RSV, which is highly contagious and can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis, is a leading cause of hospitalisation in infants aged under 12 months. Approximately 12,000 Australian babies aged under one year old are hospitalised with RSV each year, mostly during the autumn and winter months. Paediatrician Ushma Wadia (right) was the lead researcher on the RSV study. (Supplied: The Kids Research Institute Australia.) Across the hospitals included in the study, the data also showed a 20.1 per cent reduction in hospital admissions of babies aged three to six months and 8.5 per cent for six to12-month-olds. The preliminary results are undergoing peer review and the research was conducted by The Kids Research Institute Australia, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance and Monash University, in collaboration with 13 hospitals across Australia. Pregnant women have had free access to the RSV vaccine under the National Immunisation Program since February last year. Newborns who did not receive protection during their mothers' pregnancy were eligible for the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab through state and territory-funded programs. The latest immunisation data shows more than 80,000 Australian children aged five and under are not fully up to date with their vaccinations. The report authors said the analysis showed babies born to mothers who had the vaccine were 80 per cent less likely to be admitted to hospital and babies who received the monoclonal antibody were 90 per cent less likely to be hospitalised. Ushma Wadia, a paediatrician and clinician-scientist at The Kids Research Institute, said RSV was potentially deadly and could require treatment in intensive care units. "If some babies are more severe, they may also need intubation or breathing support," said Dr Wadia, who is an investigator on unrelated studies funded by Pfizer and Sanofi, the companies that manufacture the maternal RSV vaccine and infant nirsevimab. Pregnant women have been able to access free RSV vaccines under the National Immunisation Program since February 2025. (Reuters: Heiko Becker) She said the immunisation program demonstrated "amazing" effectiveness over a single season. Dr Wadia said RSV placed significant pressure on hospitals each respiratory season. "Now we have the ability to… hopefully free up those beds that were being taken up by children that had RSV infection and ensuring that now we have beds and resources that are available for those who need them." Perth mother Katryna Cygler had the vaccine when she was pregnant with her first child, Hugo, who is now nine months old. She said she was determined to protect her son. "I had heard some pretty horrible stories from friends that had babies that had gone to hospital with the virus," Ms Cygler said. "I just knew that it was a pretty deadly virus for some of the babies… so it was a no-brainer for me really to go ahead and have the vaccine." Katryna Cygler wanted her son Hugo (pictured) to be protected. (Supplied: The Kids Research Institute Australia) Paediatrician and clinical epidemiologist Terry Nolan, who was not part of the study, said the latest data was encouraging, but there needed to be a stronger focus on getting the vaccine to more pregnant women and the monoclonal antibody to more babies. With full and effective delivery of the maternal and infant immunisation program, he said, "we could possibly even double those impact numbers down the track". Professor Nolan said the government should adopt a target to have at least 95 per cent of infants protected, either through the maternal vaccine or the monoclonal antibody. "That's a very simple thing to do," said Professor Nolan, who has received consultancy fees from Pfizer and Sanofi in the past. RSV is a highly infectious virus, spread via droplets, and is the most common cause of respiratory infections in children. Most children will catch the virus at least once before they turn two, according to health authorities. Symptoms include a runny nose, cough, fever, wheezing and difficulty breath

Vaccine program almost halves RSV hospitalisations of young babies

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