The State Government is expanding the existing free RSV immunisation program to expectant mothers to help protect their newborn babies.
State Member for Scenic Rim, Jon Krause, said the expanded program would build on the current RSV program which offered free immunisation to newborn babies, eligible infants and young children.
“RSV, which stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, infects airways and lungs. It is highly contagious, spreads easily, and mostly affects children under two years,” said Mr Krause.
Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr John Gerrard, said the RSV vaccine Abrysvo could be safely administered to expectant mothers between 28 and 36 weeks of their pregnancy to provide newborn babies with protection against severe RSV disease from birth up to six months of age.
He said that if immunisation occurred during pregnancy, healthy babies would not need to be immunised against RSV themselves.
“Eligible infants and young children who are at the highest risk of severe RSV disease and not protected by maternal immunisation will continue to be offered immunisation through the RSV paediatric immunisation program,” he said.