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Free RSV vaccine for aged care residents

By Pip Turton

Jul 16, 2025

Victoria delivers nation-first RSV program for older residents.

The Victorian Government has launched Australia’s first free respiratory syncytial virus vaccination program for residents in public sector aged care facilities.

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Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt announced the $2.2 million initiative, which will provide the Arexvy vaccine to residents aged 60 and over in public and Aboriginal community-controlled aged care services.

“No family wants to imagine their parent or grandparent sick, and this free immunisation program will keep residents of our public sector residential aged care services safe from serious respiratory illness caused by RSV,” Ms Stitt said.

RSV is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause severe illness in older people, particularly those with heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems.

The program aligns with recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation for people aged 75 and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over.

The initiative complements the government’s existing RSV protection program for infants and pregnant mothers, as well as broader aged care investments, including $34.6 million in the Victorian budget 2025/26 for public sector residential aged care services.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/yc4mpua7

By Pip Turton