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The federal government this week announced the National Immunisation Program (NIP) listing of Pfizer’s Abrysvo vaccination for pregnant people to help protect their infants from lower respiratory tract illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Asthma Australia welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment to fighting back against a respiratory infection that leads to increased infant hospitalisations and has been linked to increased risk of development of asthma in kids.
By the age of two years, most children have already been infected by RSV. The infection is a leading cause of hospitalisation due to lower respiratory tract diseases like bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants younger than six months.
More than 115,000 people were hospitalised due to RSV in Australia between 2016 and 2019. About three quarters of them were children under five years. So far this year, 83 per cent of people admitted for RSV at FluCan sentinel hospitals were children 16 years and under.
What’s more, RSV is thought to be responsible for the development of up to 22 per cent of asthma cases in children under 5 years and up to 27 per cent of asthma in children aged 5-11 years.
A single dose of Abrysvo will now be included in the NIP for pregnant people to protect their infants. The NIP listing means that all pregnant people across Australia will be able to visit their GP or pharmacist and receive the vaccination for free.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that Abrysvo helped protect infants against lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV from birth to 6 months of age when administered during pregnancy. Administration is recommended at 28–36 weeks’ gestation.
Anthony Flynn, Director Health and Knowledge Translation said, “We welcome the inclusion of Abrysvo in the National Immunisation Program. This will help provide piece of mind to pregnant people who are vaccinated against RSV that their newborn will receive passive immunisation against a virus that has the potential to hospitalise their infant or even lead to the development of asthma.”
For more information:
Contact Trinity Frederick, 0413 99 22 82