A new study to boost the number of expectant mothers having the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation and investigate the impact of RSV infections in pregnancy has received backing from the state government.
Economic Growth and Jobs Minister Danny Pearson announced up to $685,000 for Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) to explore the barriers surrounding the uptake of the RSV immunisation in pregnant women, aiming to boost trust and increase uptake.
The new MCRI RSVChoice study will complement MCRI’s current investigation into the health outcomes for mothers and their babies associated with covid-19 vaccinations during pregnancy.
MCRI vaccine trials and uptake group leader, Professor Margie Danchin, said: “The MCRI RSVChoice study will help us to understand what factors impact parents’ choice, including how well immunisations work to prevent their baby getting sick from RSV at home. It will improve immunisation acceptance, uptake and protection of Victorian babies and their families”.
RSV is a common, highly contagious virus that infects up to 90 per cent of children within the first two years of life. It is the most common cause of hospitalisation in infants – eight times higher than the number of influenza hospitalisations – because it can often progress to pneumonia or bronchiolitis in very young children.
RSV immunisation during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of severe RSV illness in infants, with studies showing a reduction of around 70 per cent. Maternal RSV vaccination is safe for both the mother and baby and is recommended as a single dose during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy.
A free RSV immunisation program is available for eligible families until September 30. Infants aged two years and under are eligible if their mother hasn’t been immunised during pregnancy.
