Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory infections.
While it affects people of all ages, infants and young children are most frequently affected.
Infants and older adults are most at risk of serious illness.
It occurs more frequently in autumn and winter.
Most people have mild to moderate illness that self-resolves.
Infants and people with pre-existing heart or lung problems or a weakened immune system have a higher risk of serious illness.
It can spread from person-to-person. Therefore, good hand washing, respiratory hygiene and cleaning practices are important in preventing RSV.
Call an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if your child is turning blue, having trouble breathing, or is breathing very quickly.
The RSV Mother & Infant Protection Program (RSV-MIPP) provides free RSV vaccines under the National Immunisation Program for pregnant women all year round and state funded immunisation for eligible infants during Victoria’s RSV season, to protect against severe RSV.
The National Immunisation Program provides free RSV vaccine to adults aged 75 years and older, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 60 years and over.
Adults aged 60–74 years without a risk factor for severe RSV disease and people from 50 years with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe RSV disease, may consider privately purchasing an RSV vaccine. Speak to your GP or pharmacist.
RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program (RSV MIPP)
The RSV Mother & Infant Protection Program (RSV-MIPP) offers RSV vaccination to pregnant women and the long acting RSV monoclonal antibody to infants most at risk of severe RSV disease.
Vaccination for pregnant women
A single dose of Abrysvo® RSV vaccine is available all year round for pregnant women under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). This vaccine helps protect newborns by passing on RSV – specific antibodies from mother to baby during pregnancy.
Abrysvo® is the only RSV vaccine approved for use in pregnancy.
The best time to get the maternal RSV vaccine is from 28 weeks of each pregnancy, ideally before 36 weeks pregnancy. It is not approved for use in infants or children.
The maternal vaccine is available through maternity services, general practices, community pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and some local council immunisation services.
The RSV-MIPP prioritises uptake of the maternal Abrysvo® RSV vaccine, to provide the baby with passive protection against RSV during the first six months of infancy.
Victoria is offering a seasonal infant RSV immunisation program from mid-March to 30 September 2026. This program provides a free long-acting monoclonal antibody (Beyfortus™ / nirsevimab) to eligible infants and young children.
Infants from birth to 8 months of age may be eligible if:
their mother did not receive RSV vaccination during pregnancy
their mother was vaccinated less than two weeks before birth
have medical conditions that increase the risk of severe RSV, regardless of maternal vaccination status.
Infants from 8 months up to 24 months of age may be eligible:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and young children
Infant immunisation is available through participating public and private birthing hospitals, community immunisation clinics, general practices, and Aboriginal Health Services.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for free RSV immunisation, speak with your immunisation provider.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 60 years and over
Adults aged 60–74 years, without a risk factor for severe RSV disease and people from 50 years with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe RSV disease, may consider privately purchasing an RSV vaccine. These vaccines cannot be claimed through the NIP.
For more information, including program eligibility criteria, visit the Department of Health Disability and Ageing RSV webpage and Consumer fact sheet
About RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common virus that can cause respiratory infections that affect the airways and lungs.
It affects people of all ages but especially infants and young children. Most young children have been infected with RSV at some stage by the age of 2 years. It is usually seasonal, occurring more frequently in autumn and winter.
It is one of the most frequent causes of the common cold and ear infections. It can also cause more serious respiratory infections such as:
bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways in the lungs)
RSV can also worsen pre-existing heart or lung problems such as heart failure or asthma.
Symptoms of RSV
Symptoms usually occur within 5 days but can occur as soon as one day or up to 10 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms usually last for 1 to 2 weeks.
Most people get mild to moderate illness that self-resolves. Symptoms are similar to a common cold and can include:
Signs and symptoms of serious respiratory infections such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia and croup can include:
looking or feeling very unwell
wheezing or difficulty breathing including rapid, shallow or irregular breathing
blue discolouration or paleness of the skin
looking or feeling very tired or irritable
eating or drinking less than their usual amount
persistent or high fevers
worsening cough or mucous producing cough.
Seek medical care if symptoms do not resolve, symptoms worsen, or if there are signs and symptoms of serious respiratory infections.
Call an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if your child is turning blue, having trouble breathing, or is breathing very quickly.
Spread of RSV
A person with RSV is infectious from just before the onset of illness until usually 10 days after symptoms begin, but this may be longer in people with ongoing symptoms or serious illness.
RSV can spread easily from person-to-person through:
respiratory droplets, such as from coughing or sneezing
touching objects and surfaces contaminated with respiratory droplets.
The virus can survive on objects and surfaces for several hours so good cleaning, hand washing, and respiratory hygiene practices are important in preventing spread.
People who have previously had RSV are still susceptible to repeat infections.
High-risk groups
Infants, young children, older adults, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with a pre-existing heart or lung problem or a weakened immune system are most at-risk of serious illness from RSV.
Prevention of RSV
RSV vaccination is recommended for:
all people aged 75 years and older
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and older
people with medical risk factors for severe RSV disease aged 50 years and older
pregnant women to protect their newborn infant.
An immunisation product is also available for eligible infants.
People are strongly advised to stay up-to-date with recommended vaccination against other respiratory infections, such as influenza and COVID-19.
Respiratory and hand hygiene
Good cleaning, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene practices are important in preventing the spread of RSV, especially in people with symptoms:
Stay home if unwell.
Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, ideally using a disposable tissue.
Regularly wash hands with warm water and soap or use hand sanitiser.
Regularly clean surfaces and objects such as toys that may be contaminated using a household detergent.
Avoid contact with high-risk groups when unwell, such as infants, young children, older people and people with a pre-existing heart or lung problem or a weakened immune system.
Diagnosis of RSV
RSV infections are usually diagnosed from symptoms and clinical examination by the doctor. RSV and other kinds of viruses can only be confirmed by a doctor after a nose or throat swab has returned positive results.
Treatment of RSV
Treatment of RSV is mainly supportive through:
rest
drinking plenty of fluids
paracetamol.
RSV is a viral infection, so antibiotics are not effective.
Some people, especially high-risk groups, may require additional treatment from their GP or hospital admission.
