New Immunization Program Reduces Hospitalization of Young Babies by Almost Half

Friday, May 15, 2026, at 9:45 am

A pregnant woman received the RSV vaccine.

In brief:

A new vaccination program has reduced hospitalizations of young babies with RSV by almost half.

The study involved 13 hospitals across Australia.

RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization in infants under one year old.

A new immunization program for pregnant mothers and newborns has reduced hospitalizations of young babies with a serious respiratory virus.

The analysis showed a 43.8 percent drop in RSV hospital admissions in babies under three months old.

RSV can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis and is highly contagious.

Approximately 12,000 Australian babies under one year old are hospitalized with RSV each year.

A pediatrician was the lead researcher on the RSV study.

The data showed a 20.1 percent reduction in hospital admissions of babies aged three to six months and 8.5 percent for six to 12-month-olds.

The research was conducted by three major institutions in collaboration with 13 hospitals across Australia.

Pregnant women have had free access to the RSV vaccine since February last year.

Newborns who did not receive protection during their mothers' pregnancy were eligible for the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab.

More than 80,000 Australian children aged five and under are not fully up to date with their vaccinations.

Babies born to mothers who had the vaccine were 80 percent less likely to be admitted to hospital.

A pediatrician said RSV was potentially deadly and could require treatment in intensive care units.

Some babies may need intubation or breathing support.

Pregnant women have been able to access free RSV vaccines under the National Immunisation Program since February 2025.

The immunization program demonstrated amazing effectiveness over a single season.

RSV places significant pressure on hospitals each respiratory season.

The ability to free up hospital beds is a significant benefit of the immunization program.

Vaccine a 'no-brainer' for first-time mom

A Perth mother had the vaccine when she was pregnant with her first child.

She said she was determined to protect her son.

She had heard stories from friends whose babies had gone to hospital with the virus.

She said it was a no-brainer to get the vaccine.

The mother wanted her son to be protected.

A pediatrician said the latest data was encouraging, but more work was needed to get the vaccine to more pregnant women and the monoclonal antibody to more babies.

With full and effective delivery of the immunization program, the impact could be doubled.

The government should adopt a target to have at least 95 percent of infants protected.

That's a simple thing to do.

What is RSV?

RSV is a highly infectious virus spread via droplets.

Most children will catch the virus at least once before they turn two.

Symptoms include a runny nose, cough, fever, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

A co-author of the new study said autumn marked the beginning of 'RSV season' and numbers were already starting to rise.

Every year, there is a rise in RSV cases before a rise in flu cases.

The maternal RSV vaccine is available to women between 28 to 36 weeks pregnant.

The baby gains some protection from the mother's antibodies.

In this week's federal budget, the government announced it would fund a free RSV vaccine for older Australians.

The study's authors reported several had worked on trials supported by pharmaceutical companies.

Several authors had received travel and accommodation support or honorariums paid to their institutions.

Friday, May 15, 2026, at 9:45 am

Friday, May 15, 2026, at 12:04 pm

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