RSV infections are on the rise – Now is the time to immunise
Since mid-May 2026, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections have increased sharply in our local region.
Queensland Health’s Communicable Diseases Branch wishes to advise clinicians and practice teams that the majority of infections are occurring in children under 5 years and adults 65 years and older.
Key information from Queensland Health:
RSV infections are on the rise, now is the time to immunise.
Do not administer any RSV vaccine to children as they are not registered for use in children.
Abrysvo is for use in pregnant patients.
Arexvy is for use in patients aged 60 and older
Immunisation administration errors have occurred likely due to the similar names of products Arexvy and Abrysvo.
Take steps to prevent RSV immunisation administration errors
Due to the similar names of products Arexvy and Abrysvo, it’s important to ensure all clinical staff are trained on how to store products in the fridge with clear labels and indications.
To find the recommended funded RSV immunisations for older adults, pregnant people and eligible children under 2 years of age, you can use the Queensland RSV Product Selection Guide or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Queensland Health webpage.
Our General Practice Quality Improvement team can support your practice to identify eligible patients and establish goals for increasing your vaccination rates. Contact the Quality Improvement team via [email protected] or phone (07) 3864 7540.
RSV vaccination for older adults
While RSV infections predominately affect children, it can cause severe respiratory infection and hospitalisation in older adults.
The Arexvy RSV vaccine is registered for use in adults aged 60 years and older, and adults 50–59 years who are at increased risk for RSV disease.
Arexvy is funded through the National Immunisation Program (NIP)/ making it for free for:
adults aged 75 years and over
First Nations peoples aged 60 years and over.
Older patients who are particularly at risk are those:
with chronic lung or heart disease
with immunocompromise
with certain chronic medical conditions, like severe diabetes and severe obesity
living in residential care home settings.
You can order Arexvy stock through your routine fortnightly ordering, using the order form available on the Queensland Health website.
RSV vaccination for pregnant patients can help protect infants
The Abrysvo RSV vaccine is registered for use in pregnant patients.
The Australian Centre for Disease Control recommends a single dose of Abrysvo for all pregnant patients to protect the infant. The recommended time for RSV vaccination during pregnancy is from 28 weeks gestation.
RSV immunisation during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of severe RSV disease and hospitalisation in infants during their first 6 months of life.
More information
You can find out more about the RSV immunisation program at the Queensland Health website.
Older adults and pregnant people can safely receive RSV vaccines at the same time as other vaccines. For more information on co-administration see RSV: Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Recommendations for patients outside funded categories are available in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Review referral pathways, clinical guidance and resources for immunisation on the Brisbane South HealthPathways portal.
Refer to the Immunisation Schedule Queensland - Childhood Immunisation for more information about RSV immunisation for eligible children under 2 years of age.
Read our previous article on Immunisation updates for vaccine providers: April 2026.