Queensland Health update: General practices can access nirsevimab from Monday 29 April 2024
Queensland Health has announced nirsevimab will be available to all General practices, Aboriginal Medical Services, and other immunisation providers in Queensland from Monday 29 April 2024, as part of the Queensland Paedatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention (QPRSVP) Program.
This program provides free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation to eligible infants and young children in Queensland.
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved the preventative monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (available in Australia under the brand name 'Beyfortus').
Learn more about the program
Join GP and Public Health Registrar Dr Isaac Tranter online to learn more about how your practice can be involved in the QPRSVP Program.
This quick online session is held on Tuesday 23 April 2024 at 12:30 midday.
The session will cover current updates and includes Q&A time.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) background information
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RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation in infants and young children in Queensland, with almost all children experiencing at least one RSV infection within the first 2 years of life.
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Nirsevimab, a long-acting antibody injection that provides immediate immunity against RSV infection, is approximately 80 per cent effective in reducing infant hospitalisation due to RSV. It provides protection against RSV for at least 5 months.
About the Queensland Paedatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention (QPRSVP) program
Under the program, eligible infants and young children will have access to nirsevimab in select primary care vaccination service providers.
Due to anticipated supply constraints persisting throughout 2024 and into early 2025, Queensland Health will work closely with peak medical bodies and primary care partners to manage access to this limited supply. This is to ensure infants and young children at highest risk of severe disease from RSV are protected.
The following infants and young children are eligible for RSV immunisation:
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all newborn infants — this will be offered as a dose at birth or prior to discharge from hospital
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infants born on or after the program commencement date who are not immunised in hospital, can access this dose up until they are 8 months old
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First Nations infants younger than 8 months
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infants with certain complex medical conditions who are younger than 8 months
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infants with certain complex medical conditions who are 8 months up to 19 months old (inclusive), until Thursday 31 October 2024.
More information
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Stay updated on the latest program information at, https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/immunisation/paediatric-rsv-prevention-program.
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Download the updated April 2024 Immunisation Schedule Queensland from Queensland Health.