WESTERN Australia's babies will be among the first in the Southern Hemisphere to receive the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation now registered with the TGA.
Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is available for the prevention of RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease in all infants entering their first RSV season, and for children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.
Further, the NSW Government became the first state last Fri to allow pharmacists to initiate and administer RSV vaccines to those adults aged 60 years and older.
PSA NSW President Luke Kelly welcomed the move, saying it was important people protected themselves against infectious diseases ahead of winter.
"We've seen massive advances in vaccine technology in recent years and it's fantastic older Australians - the people who are most at risk of complications and death from RSV - can take positive steps to protect themselves," he said.
"I thank the NSW Government for proactively expanding vaccination access for our most vulnerable populations and look forward to continuing to work alongside them to improve vaccine uptake across the state."
PSA National President Fei Sim said she is also calling on other Australian jurisdictions to follow NSW's lead.
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