Australia has reported over 47,000 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children under five this year, as the Immunisation Foundation of Australia launched RSV Awareness Week today.
According to the foundation, the current number of cases is nearly two-thirds of the total reported in 2023, even though winter has just begun.
“There are certainly higher rates at the moment for this time of year than what we have seen in previous years,” said Hannah Moore, Head of Infectious Disease at the Telethon Kids Institute.
RSV primarily affects infants and people aged 60 and over. So far this year, children under five account for 70% of cases, with over 13,000 cases in those aged 60 and above.
Associate Professor Moore explained that while most children experience mild symptoms similar to a common cold, RSV can be severe for some.
“RSV is a respiratory virus that affects the lungs,” she said. “It’s commonly associated with bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which can be severe.”
RSV poses the highest risk to infants under six months and older adults. Globally, about 100,000 infant deaths are attributed to RSV, mainly in low-to-middle-income countries.
In April, Western Australia and Queensland introduced RSV infant immunisation programs. Western Australia’s program is the most extensive, offering vaccines to all infants at birth, including those born since October 2022, especially Aboriginal and medically at-risk children. New South Wales also started a program in March for vulnerable medically at-risk children.
Currently, no other states or territories have state-funded RSV vaccine programs. Professor Moore highlighted the need for a national program to protect preterm children, First Nations babies, and those with medical conditions.
The Immunisation Foundation of Australia states that nationwide infant RSV immunisation could prevent 10,000 hospital admissions annually. In Western Australia and Queensland, more than 10,000 infants have been immunised, which could prevent one hospital admission for every 25 babies vaccinated.
“In Western Australia, we’re actually trending lower than what we normally see for RSV infections,” Professor Moore said, attributing it to a prolonged summer. “We are expecting increases in RSV activity, but at the moment, the numbers are lower than this time last year.”
However, the rest of Australia is experiencing a surge in RSV cases, particularly on the East Coast, with higher numbers in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
“There’s been more cases on the East Coast, higher numbers in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia,” she said. “Overall, there are certainly higher rates at the moment for this time of year than what we have seen in previous years.”
Professor Moore emphasized the importance of a national immunisation program for health equity. “RSV is a significant cause of hospitalisation across all of Australia,” she said. “It’s important to have an immunisation program available for all those who need it.”
