GPs have an important role to play in ensuring that all infants are protected from RSV infection.
While many newborns are already protected, either through the Maternal RSV Immunisation Program or via a birth dose of Beyfortus (nirsevimab) in hospital, some babies are falling through the cracks.
It is crucial that GPs check infants’ immunisation status at their six-week appointment and offer immunisation with the monoclonal antibody Beyfortus (nirsevimab) if eligible. The clinical decision aid for Beyfortus can support GPs in identifying eligible patients.
Factors that can result in babies having missed out on RSV protection prior to the six-week appointment include:
RSV immunisation is proven to significantly reduce infant hospitalisations
The first year of Australia’s maternal and infant RSV program resulted in a 43.8% reduction in RSV hospitalisations among infants younger than 3 months, the age group at highest risk of severe disease.
Infants whose mothers received an RSV vaccine during pregnancy were 80% less likely to be hospitalised with RSV, while infants who received Beyfortus (nirsevimab) were 90% less likely to be hospitalised, compared with infants who received neither form of protection.
Prior to the implementation of the RSV program, around one in 50 children required hospitalisation due to RSV in their first year of life.
Ensure that you check infants’ RSV immunisation status at their six-week appointment and offer Beyfortus (nirsevimab) if eligible.
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