Pharmaceutical advisory committee backs calls for consistent RSV jabs

Following its September meeting, the committee (PBAC) recommended nirsevimab be funded through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for infants entering their first RSV season and up to 24 months for those who remain vulnerable.

Research suggests that combining maternal vaccination during pregnancy and immunisation for babies, can cut Australia’s hospital admissions for young babies by almost half.

However, responsibility for Australia's national RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program are currently split between jurisdictions.

Maternal vaccines are federally funded through the NIP, but infant vaccines are dependent on state and territory governments.

WA has led the way with access to free infant vaccines this year. Between January and August this year, WA GPs provided 3300 of the state’s 6750 direct infant RSV antibody immunisations.

The Immunisation Foundation Australia (IFA) had called for change, saying the system was confusing and contributes to differences in eligibility, access, communication and delivery across jurisdictions. 

IFA founder Catherine Hughes welcomed the PBAC’s recommendation to fund the infant vaccines through the NIP.

“This long overdue step is critical to ensuring equitable access to protection against severe RSV for Australian infants,” she said. 

“Unlike maternal vaccination, nirsevimab is funded by individual states and territories, resulting in inconsistent eligibility criteria, inequitable access and unnecessary complexity for healthcare providers and families.

“Bringing nirsevimab onto the NIP would establish consistent national eligibility and access, enabling healthcare providers to protect more infants against severe RSV, regardless of where they live.”

Ms Hughes said she hoped the recommendation would be acted upon swiftly to see nirsevimab available through the NIP before the 2027 RSV season.