More older people to access free RSV vaccines

More Western Australians are being provided access to free respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation.

In February the state government announced those aged 65 and over in residential aged care could access the vaccine free and now more people from the age of 50 years are eligible.

Those above 50 years in aged care, or who are Commonwealth Support at Home recipients or considered medically at risk can now access the immunisation for free.

People between 60 and 74 experiencing homelessness, residing in specialist disability accommodation, corrective services facilities or residential mental health services are also eligible.

At the same time, the federal government is now providing RSV immunisations for free to people 75 years and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 60 years and over.

 In 2025, a total of 12,803 RSV cases were notified in WA.

People aged 65 years and older accounted for 21% of those cases and more than 700 hospitalisations.

WA has had success with its infant and maternal RSV immunisation program, with it reducing hospitalisation rates of young babies across three Perth hospitals by almost 90%.

The national program which followed WA's has been found to have cut hospital admissions for young babies by almost half in its first year.

Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton said the expansion of the RSV immunisation program was about making sure people who were often hardest to reach were not left behind when it came to important health protections.

“By extending access to those experiencing homelessness or those who are medically at risk, we’re helping ensure more vulnerable Western Australians can stay well through winter,” she said.