Australia Expands Immunisation Programs for RSV and Meningococcal B

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Australian Governments Expand Immunisation Programs for RSV and Meningococcal B

New national and state-based immunisation programs targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and meningococcal B disease are rolling out across Australia, with significant changes taking effect from 2025 through 2027.

RSV Immunisation Program

Starting May 15, 2026, the Australian Government will provide the RSV vaccine Arexvy free of charge under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) to:

• Australians aged 75 years and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and over

The federal government has committed $445.3 million over five years to fund this expansion.

Eligible individuals can access the vaccine through general practitioners, participating pharmacies, immunisation clinics, community health services, and Aboriginal health services.

The vaccine was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2024 following clinical trials involving approximately 25,000 older adults. According to health officials, the vaccine offers protection estimated at 80-90% against severe complications and lasts for approximately three years.

For adults outside these groups—including those aged 60 and over, and adults aged 50-59 at increased risk of RSV disease—the Arexvy vaccine is available privately at a cost of approximately $300.

Since February 2025, pregnant women have had free access to the RSV vaccine under the NIP. Newborns not protected via maternal vaccination are eligible for the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab through state-funded programs.

A preliminary study conducted by The Kids Research Institute Australia, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, and Monash University analyzed hospitalization data from 13 Australian hospitals. The researchers recruited 3,743 children (2,719 RSV-positive cases and 1,024 test-negative controls).

Key findings include:

• RSV-associated hospitalizations fell by 43.8% in infants under three months
• Hospitalizations reduced by 20.1% in infants aged 3–6 months and 8.5% in those aged 6–12 months
• Babies born to vaccinated mothers were 80% less likely to be hospitalized
• Babies who received nirsevimab were 90% less likely to be hospitalized

A separate US study published in JAMA Network Open, analyzing data from 274 hospitalized infants from a single health system in western Pennsylvania during two RSV seasons (2023-2025), estimated maternal RSV vaccine effectiveness at 68% against RSV-associated hospitalization in infants up to 90 days old.

According to national notification data:

• In 2026, 52,383 RSV cases have been recorded, exceeding COVID-19 (41,036) and influenza (34,204) notifications
• 6,526 cases have been reported in those aged 75 years and older
• In 2025, 177,000 RSV cases were reported nationwide, including more than 40,000 in adults over 60
• Severe RSV was associated with nearly 500 deaths in the first nine months of 2025

The Immunisation Foundation of Australia conducted a survey during RSV Awareness Week (until June 13, 2026) among 1,011 eligible individuals (aged 75+ or Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander aged 60+). Results showed:

• 60% have received or intend to receive the free RSV vaccine
• 63% view RSV vaccination as equally important as influenza vaccination
• Among undecided respondents (one-third), 76% had never heard of RSV or knew little about it, and 57% were unaware of the free vaccine
• 7% of respondents decided against vaccination; half of those cited general opposition to vaccines

Meningococcal B Vaccination Programs

The Tasmanian Government announced a $4 million investment to fund free meningococcal B (MenB) vaccinations, including catch-up doses, starting July 2026 as part of the 2026–27 Budget.

At least two meningococcal disease cases have been reported in Tasmania in 2026, according to the Department of Health.

The program was an election commitment by the Tasmanian Liberals made during the 2025 state election campaign.

The Victorian Government announced it will provide free meningococcal B vaccinations to year 10 students starting January 1, 2027.

The program is funded with over $9 million and will be delivered through school immunisation programs, GPs, pharmacies, local councils, and Aboriginal health services. The vaccine is currently available privately at a cost exceeding $250.

The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is advocating for the Victorian Government to include free meningococcal B and intranasal influenza vaccines for children in the state's funded immunisation schedule.

This call follows a meningococcal B outbreak linked to a nightclub in Canterbury, UK, in March, which resulted in 21 hospitalizations, nine intensive care admissions, and two deaths.

Locally, 16-year-old Levi Syer died from meningococcal B in September 2025 in Victoria. His mother has advocated for free vaccines, and the Victorian Opposition has reportedly committed to funding them for infants and teens.

Health Minister Harriet Shing stated the program aims to protect teenagers and urged the Commonwealth to consider adding the vaccine to the NIP. A proposal to include the meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero) in the NIP is under review by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), following an application by manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline.

Pneumococcal Vaccine Program Changes

From July 1, 2026, the Australian NIP has added a new pneumococcal vaccine, Capvaxive (21vPCV), and expanded eligibility for free pneumococcal vaccination:

• Adults aged 65 and over are now eligible, down from 70
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25 and over are eligible, down from 50
• Adults aged 18 and over with certain at-risk conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic liver disease, are eligible for the first time

As of June 2026, 911 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) had been reported in Australia. In 2025, 2,638 cases were reported, with 14% in children under five and 37% in adults over 65.