Queensland Health’s focus on protecting the health of its youngest Queenslanders through immunisation is showing significant results by preventing more than 1,000 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) hospitalisations.
Since the Queensland Paediatric RSV Prevention Program was launched in April 2024, more than 67,000 Queenslanders (including children and those immunised during pregnancy) have been immunised (up to 18 August 2025) against RSV.
The latest Queensland Health data shows that 1,021 RSV hospitalisations have been avoided in infants under 6 months of age since the RSV immunisation program commenced in 2024.
From 15 April to 31 December 2024, 438 babies were hospitalised – a 48 per cent reduction (404 fewer hospitalisations) compared to the same period in 2023. Furthermore, 227 babies were hospitalised this year to date (1 January to 17 August 2025) – a 73 per cent reduction (617 fewer hospitalisations) compared to the same period in 2023.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said it was an incredible result that more than 1,000 babies had avoided a hospital stay as a result of RSV immunisation.
“It’s wonderful news that we’re seeing decreased hospitalisations among one of our most vulnerable cohorts thanks to immunisation,” Dr McDougall said.
“That’s more than 1,000 children who haven’t had to go to hospital, something that can be particularly distressing and traumatic for young children and their families.
“These results are especially remarkable given we are now in the peak season for RSV and other respiratory illnesses.
“RSV is still circulating and children are still susceptible to being infected, but more and more children are avoiding serious illness and a hospital stay because of immunisation.
“Not only are we protecting the health of our youngest Queenslanders, but fewer hospitalisations mean less pressure on our health system.
“The more people immunised – the fewer RSV hospitalisations we will see.”
Dr McDougall said these results served as an important reminder of the value of immunisation in preventing serious illness and hospitalisation.
Free RSV immunisation is available during pregnancy between 28- and 36-weeks gestation as part of the National Immunisation Program. This vaccine transfers antibodies across the placenta, protecting babies from birth to 6 months of age. For the vaccine to be effective, it must be administered at least 14 days before giving birth.
If vaccination did not occur during pregnancy, babies can be immunised for free (Queensland Government funded) against RSV after birth, with newborn babies able to be immunised in hospital before they go home.
Children can also be immunised against RSV up to eight months of age, or up to two years if they have a medical condition that increases their risk of severe RSV illness.
For more information on Queensland’s RSV Prevention Program, eligible Queenslanders can talk to their GP, midwife, pharmacist or other immunisation provider, or visit the Queensland Health website.
For weekly updates on the current situation, visit the Queensland Health’s Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance website.