The Queensland Government has announced the Queensland Paedatric Respiratory
Syncytial Virus Prevention (QPRSVP) Program to provide free RSV immunisation to eligible Queensland infants and young children.
The Program will use nirsevimab, a long-acting antibody injection that provides immediate immunity against RSV infection and is approximately 80 per cent effective in reducing infant hospitalisation due to RSV. This passive immunisation product provides protection against RSV for at least 5 months and is administered by intramuscular injection.
Due to global constraints on the supply of nirsevimab, Queensland Health is taking a
considered approach to the rollout of the 2024 program, to ensure infants and young children at highest risk of severe disease from RSV are protected.
Commencing no later than Wednesday 1 May 2024, the following infants and young children will be eligible for RSV immunisation:
- All newborn infants
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants less than 8 months of age.
- Infants with certain complex medical conditions* less than 8 months of age.
- Infants with certain complex medical conditions* 8 months up to 19 months of
age (inclusive), until 31 October 2024.
Under this program, nirsevimab will be distributed to all birthing hospitals in Queensland, with other eligible infants and young children able to access this product across select primary care vaccination service providers. As supply is expected to remain highly constrained throughout 2024 and into early 2025, Queensland Health will collaborate with our peak medical bodies and primary care partners on the most effective way to manage primary care’s access to the limited supply of nirsevimab.
Additional information on the program is available here.