Older Australians to receive free respiratory syncytial virus vaccinations
Free vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will be offered to older Australians from next month, amid concerns about people catching the potentially serious virus from grandchildren or in aged care.
All Australians aged 75 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over will be able to receive a free vaccine from 15 May.
The expansion of the federal government’s free vaccination program, which provides vaccines to pregnant women, comes ahead of the winter season, when infection is at its peak.
Older people face increased risk from RSV, a common respiratory virus that can require hospitalization or, in some cases, cause death in vulnerable people.
The cost of the vaccine, which is usually a single dose for life for older people, was $300.
This service is provided through local health services, including GPs, vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies and Aboriginal health services.
Aged care residents are particularly vulnerable to the spread of infection due to their shared living spaces.
“I encourage eligible Australians to protect themselves and their communities by vaccinating against RSV this winter,” Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said.
The government has committed $445.3 million to free access to the RSV vaccine for eligible Australians through the National Immunization Programme.
State programs provide the vaccine for free to some eligible infants. Since the free vaccines became available in February last year, more than 225,000 mothers have received the maternal RSV vaccine to protect their babies from serious disease.
This resulted in a 10 percent decrease in RSV cases in young children; this number dropped from 86,000 in 2024 to 78,000 in 2025.
Professor Charlotte Hespe, head of general practice at Sydney Medical School, said RSV was under-recognised as a serious health threat in older adults.
“Ensuring older Australians have access to a funded RSV vaccine is a proactive step towards prevention,” Hespe said. “[It] “It can be given at the same time as the flu vaccine, making appointments more efficient.”
With older people playing an increasingly important role in childcare, National Seniors Australia chief executive Chris Grice said the free vaccination program was a positive response to changing demographics.
“Many are actively involved in caring for their grandchildren, which may increase their exposure to RSV,” Grice said.
“RSV spreads easily among family members, so it is important for older adults to be aware of the risks and effects on their health.
“This fund recognizes the risks and supports older people to make informed decisions about protecting their health.”
Butler also encouraged people to get a flu shot before winter.
“Booking yourself and your family for a flu vaccine every year is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and others against the flu,” he said.
“No two flu seasons are the same, and flu can spread all year long, so it’s never too late to get vaccinated.”
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Mike Foley is the climate and energy correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
