Protect your baby from RSV
L-R: Dr Rosanna Capolingua AM, Child and Adolescent Health Service Board Chair, Hon Roger Cook MLA – Premier of Western Australia, Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA – Minister for Health and Dr Ushma Wadia – Infectious Disease Consultant
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a highly contagious disease which is the most common cause of childhood illnesses, from mild colds to bronchitis and pneumonia.
It is the leading cause of hospitalisation in babies under 1 year of age in Australia, every year.
In an Australian first, you can now immunise your newborn/baby against the disease.
While RSV affects the whole community, young babies have tiny airways and are more likely to have a serious outcome following an RSV infection – including potential hospitalisation and an increased risk of developing childhood asthma.
One dose of the Nirsevimab immunisation, given via injection, protects infants for at least five months, covering them for the duration of an average RSV season, which is typically May through to September.
The immunisation is offered:
- as a catch-up program for babies born from 1 October 2023 to 30 April 2024
- to all Aboriginal children born from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2024
- to some medically at-risk children in their second RSV season born from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 (your child’s doctor will advise you if your child should receive a dose before their second RSV season).
- At birth to all babies born between 1 May and 30 September 2024.
Bookings are available at all Child and Adolescent Community Health Metropolitan Immunisation Clinics Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
4 Community Health sites have Saturday morning appointments in April:
Central Immunisation Clinic
16 Rheola Street, West Perth
Phone: 9321 1312
Mirrabooka Community Health
4/14 Chesterfield Road, Mirrabooka
Phone: 9345 7100
Gosnells Child Development Service
88 Lissiman Street, Gosnells
Phone: 6151 1308
Kwinana Child Health Centre
1 Peel Row, Kwinana
Phone: 9419 2266
Please weigh your baby before your Community Health appointment.
Nirsevimab can be given at the same time as other immunisations.
Visit the Department of Health website or download this immunisation factsheet for more information.