Winter is the season of colds, ‘flus, COVID-19 and RSV. But what exactly is RSV? And who should get the newly available vaccine for it?  Read on to find out more.

What is RSV?  

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) was first identified in 1956 during an outbreak that affected laboratory chimpanzees. It was originally named ‘Chimpanzee coryza agent’ but when researchers discovered that it infected human populations as well, it was renamed RSV.

RSV is quite closely related to measles and mumps viruses but is usually less severe, with symptoms similar to a bad cold. It is spread through coughing and sneezing and can hang around on surfaces for several hours. It is found all over the world, with most cases occurring in winter.

What are the risks? 

Healthy adults usually have fairly mild symptoms, but an RSV infection can be very serious in young children and older people. In babies and toddlers, breathing can be so badly affected that they need oxygen treatment in hospital.

Globally, RSV is estimated to cause one in 50 deaths in children under five. In over 65s, at least 300,000 people are admitted to hospital with an RSV infection each year, with around four per cent of them dying from associated complications.

When was the vaccine introduced? 

Professor Josh Davis from HMRI’s Infection Research Program says, “Arexvy (one brand of RSV vaccine marketed by Glaxo Smith Kline) was registered for use in Australia (by the TGA) for adults over age 60 from January this year. Abrysvo (another brand, marketed by Pfizer) was also approved, in March this year, for use in infants under six months of age and pregnant women, as well as adults over 60 years of age.” Abrysvo is not currently available.

Why was the vaccine introduced?  

In a clinical trial involving almost 25,000 volunteers, half were given Arexvy and half a placebo and they were all followed up for at least six months. The vaccine gave 83% protection against lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV.

There are two forms of RSV, type A and B. The vaccine worked equally well against both types.

Who should get it?  

The RSV vaccine has been recommended by ATAGI, Australia’s expert advisory group on vaccines, for

• All adults aged 75 years or older
• All Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years or older
• All adults aged 60 years or older with at least one other risk factor for severe disease. These risk factors include any chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, and a compromised immune system (e.g. due to chemotherapy or other medications).

What about infants and children?

While not available yet, the vaccine Abrysvo has been approved for use in Australia in pregnant women as a protective measure for their babies in their first 6 months of life. A doctor will tell you if this immunisation is right for your child and will organise it for you.

An immunisation called Beyfortus, a monoclonal antibody has been approved for babies under 12 months of age who are at the highest risk of severe diseases. It is a passive immunisation that provides antibodies directly to the infant for immediate protection. More

Is it free or do you need to pay for it? 

Professor Davis says, “For people aged over 60, neither of the vaccines are funded yet under the PBS or any State or National vaccination programs – so it is only available on a private prescription, which means the patient has to pay for it. Currently the list price for Arexvy is $280 per dose. Only one dose is needed.

“The PBAC (who makes recommendations to government on funding vaccines) is considering Arexvy in July this year, and there is a good chance they will recommend it be funded for selected patients.

“In the meantime, if you are in one the above risk groups and you can afford it, it would be worth getting vaccinated ASAP before winter sets in. This won’t stop you getting influenza or COVID – they are separate vaccines. But the Big Three respiratory viruses (the ones that cause most of the severe illness and death) are Flu, COVID and RSV – now that we have vaccines for all three (and once the RSV vaccine is funded), this will likely have a large benefit over the coming winters,” he says.

For more information visit NSW Health Information Sheet