Victorian public sector residents to receive free RSV vaccine
In what the state calls an Australian first, Victoria’s Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt has announced that the Arexvy Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine — which has been shown to reduce the severity of RSV infections, including the risk of complications like pneumonia and bronchiolitis — will be delivered to residents aged 60 and over in public and Aboriginal community-controlled aged care services.
A highly contagious respiratory virus, RSV can affect people of all ages, but in older people — particularly those with existing heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems — can cause serious illness. According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Arexvy is “approved for individuals 60 years and older to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV” and “also approved for individuals aged 50 to 59 who are at increased risk for RSV infection”.
“No family wants to imagine their parent or grandparent sick and this free immunisation program will keep residents of our Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services [PSRACS] safe from serious respiratory illness caused by RSV,” Stitt said.
Victoria’s $2.2 million RSV vaccine program complements the state government’s broader investment in aged care, the government said in a statement, with $34.6 million in the Victorian Budget 2025–26 to continue delivering high-quality care in PSRACS and $7.5 million for infrastructure upgrades to improve comfort and safety for residents.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation was part of the support for the RSV vaccine program, its clinical guidance recommending RSV vaccination for people aged 75 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over and those with medical risk factors.
“We’re proud to be the first state in Australia delivering a free RSV vaccination program for residents of public sector aged care,” Stitt said, “which will help more older Victorians to stay healthy over winter.”
More information on RSV is available here, via Victoria’s Department of Health Better Health Channel.
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