Immunisation recommendations for RSV

– RSV vaccination is new, and has not been considered yet with the Australian Asthma Handbook guidelines.
– ATAGI recommends a single dose of Arexvy RSV vaccine for: (ref 1)
* all adults aged 75 and over
* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 60-74
* adults aged 60-74 with a medical condition increasing their risk of severe disease due to RSV, including severe asthma (defined as requiring frequent medical consultations or the use of multiple medicines)
– Arexvy can be co-administered with other vaccines, although this may increase mild-to-moderate adverse events.
– The need for further doses in the future has not yet been established. Recommendations on the need for subsequent doses will be provided when evidence is available.
– Abrysvo, another RSV vaccine, has been registered with the TGA in March 2024 for use in pregnant women and in adults 60 and over, however it is not available in Australia yet (as of 14 May 2024) (ref 2)

To protect infants/young children:(ref 2)
– monoclonal antibodies against RSV are currently available in Australia to immunise young infants and children up to 2 years. These are only available through certain states/territories programs (WA, QLD and NSW are funding nirsevimab for infants, see reference 2 for specifics of the programs)
– a RSV vaccine to immunise pregnant women: Abrysvo was registered by the TGA in March 2024 for use in pregnant women, however it is not available yet (as of 14 May 2024)

Categories: RSV
Author: Agnes
Entry Date: 14/05/2024
Source 1 Name: ATAGI. Statement on the clinical use of AREXVY (RSV PRE-F3) vaccine for prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease in older adults in Australia. Clinical advice version 1.0, March 2024.
Source 1 URL: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-02/atagi-statement-on-the-clinical-use-of-arexvy-rsv-pre-f3-vaccine-for-rsv_0.pdf
Source 2 Name: NCIRS. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Frequently asked questions (FAQs) [Internet]. Accessed 14 May 2024.
Source 2 URL: https://ncirs.org.au/ncirs-fact-sheets-faqs-and-other-resources/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-frequently-asked#:~:text=Currently%2C%20two%20RSV%20vaccines%20have,over%20(not%20yet%20available).
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