With RSV Awareness Week running until Saturday, June 13 Australians are being urged to consider the RSV vaccination.
Australian Medical Association President Danielle McMullen said RSV was more than just a winter nuisance and complacency could lead to serious complications, hospitalisation or even death.
“This week is an important reminder not to be complacent about a virus that can have serious consequences,” Dr McMullen said.
“Too many people still think RSV is just a bad cold, but for some Australians it can be far more serious than that.”
The RSV vaccination has been added to the National Immunisation Program and is now funded for people aged 75 years and over, following the addition of the maternal vaccine last year.
Dr McMullen said the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing illness was very evident.
“More than 225,000 mothers have received the maternal RSV vaccine to protect their babies from serious illness since the vaccines were first made available in February last year,” Dr McMullen said.
“This has resulted in a drop of more than nine per cent in RSV cases for young children from 86,000 in 2024 to 78,000 in 2025.”
For those with concerns about the vaccine, you can speak with your regular GP for more information or by visiting www.health.gov.au
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