Health leaders say the program will save lives and ease pressure on hospitals.
Older Australians will soon be offered free protection against respiratory syncytial virus under a major new federal health push, with the government moving to roll out vaccinations nationwide from mid-May.
From 15 May, Australians aged 75 years and over, along with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and above, will be eligible for a free RSV vaccine under the National Immunisation Program, a move backed by a $445 million federal investment.
The vaccine, Arexvy, will be available through GPs, pharmacies, community health clinics and Aboriginal health services, removing a cost barrier that has previously seen patients pay around $300 out of pocket for the shot.
Federal health minister Mark Butler said the expansion targets one of the most vulnerable groups to RSV, a virus that can trigger severe respiratory illness, pneumonia and death in older people.
In a weekend press conference at which he discussed the move, Mr Butler was asked what was being done to counter vaccine hesitancy.
“Beyond older Australians though, I have expressed concern and a number of other people have for that matter about the declining rates of childhood immunisation, particularly at the key ages of one, two and five,” he said.
“All of those rates are down over the last five years, and this is a trend we’re seeing right around the world.
“The World Health Organization has called this out as a matter of very significant concern.
“We’re particularly worried at the loss of herd immunity in some communities for conditions like measles, again something we’re seeing right around the world.
“So we’re talking right now about ways in which we can re-energise our childhood immunisation campaign and remind Australian parents that that again is another way you can keep your children safe.”
RSV, often associated with infants, has emerged as a significant threat to older Australians, particularly those in aged care or with underlying conditions, where shared environments and frequent contact increase the risk of rapid spread.
Experts warn the virus can be as dangerous, sometimes even more so, than influenza, with high rates of hospitalisation and serious complications among seniors.
Older adults, and those with certain medical conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes and chronic heart failure have a greater risk of serious complications from RSV compared with those without the condition.
RSV infections can occur all year round but usually peak in autumn and winter around the same time as the flu season.
In 2025, Australia experienced a record 177,796 cases of RSV nationwide, with over 40,000 cases in adults over 60 years, according to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.
So far this year there have been 29,240 reported cases (as of 10 April) of RSV in Australia, with NSW (14,190) and Queensland (8799) having the most. Of these 7008 cases nationally have been in people aged 60 years and over.
Professor Hubertus Jersmann, a respiratory physician at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, said the vaccine would be a critical addition to winter health defences.
“It’s a lifesaver. The protection of this vaccine is in the order of 80, 90% from those complications, which is unheard of,” he told the media conference.
Peak health bodies have welcomed the move, including the Royal Australian College of GPs. President Dr Michael Wright said the decision would have a tangible impact on patient outcomes.
“RSV can cause serious illness in older people, leading to hospitalisation, complications and, in some cases, death,” Dr Wright said.
“We have been advocating for access to the vaccine to be expanded and this decision will save lives, reduce pressure on hospitals and improve protection for those most at risk.”
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Dr Wright said the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 60 years and over recognises the higher burden of respiratory disease experienced by these communities.
“This is a welcome and targeted decision that acknowledges the importance of equity in preventive healthcare,” he said.
“Ensuring vaccines are accessible to those who need them most is essential to closing health gaps.”
Professor Charlotte Hespe AM, head of General Practice and Primary Care Research at the School of Medicine, Sydney, said inclusion of the vaccine on the NIP was a “major public health advancement for Australia’s ageing population”.
“RSV and flu have both been shown to carry similar risks of hospitalisation and mortality in older adults,” she said.
“The ability to co-administer AREXVY with the seasonal flu vaccine is a significant advantage. By offering both vaccines during the same visit, we can ensure timely, comprehensive protection for our most vulnerable patients.”
Pharmacists also backed the rollout, highlighting the role of community pharmacies in delivering the program at scale.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia vice president Simon Blacker said the reform would make it easier for Australians to access protection close to home.
“This reform will save lives and help keep older Australians well through winter,” he said.
The rollout marks the first time an RSV vaccine has been funded under the National Immunisation Program for older adults, complementing existing free influenza and COVID-19 vaccines as part of a broader strategy to bolster winter defences.
GPs and pharmacists are expected to play a central role in delivery, particularly as authorities work to lift vaccination rates ahead of the peak respiratory season.
Health authorities are urging eligible Australians to book in early, with RSV cases typically peaking through autumn and winter.
Arexvy’s manufacturer GSK Australia welcomed the vaccine’s addition on the NIP, saying it would provide free access to more than two million older Australians.
Dr Alan Paul, Executive Country Medical Director, GSK Australia, described it as a “significant milestone”.
“This decision reflects the growing recognition of RSV as a serious health concern among ageing populations,” he said.
More information on RSV vaccination for older people is available here.
