Maternal RSV vaccination cuts infant hospitalisation risk by about 80%
19 Aug 2026
The observational study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, examined the effectiveness of the RSVpreF vaccine, sold as Abrysvo, after it was introduced through the National Immunisation Program in 2025.
Researchers studied 1,012 infants aged up to six months who were hospitalised with acute respiratory illness at nine Australian hospitals between March 2025 and February 2026.
Maternal vaccination was associated with an 80.8% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisation. It was also 77.8% effective against RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease and 80.4% effective against severe disease.
The strongest protection was seen in babies aged up to two months, with the vaccine showing 86.3% effectiveness against hospitalisation for RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease.
Researchers said the findings support maternal vaccination as an important part of Australia's RSV prevention program, particularly during the earliest months when babies are most vulnerable.
Abrysvo was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2024 and has been available at no cost through the National Immunisation Program since February 2025. A single dose is recommended during the third trimester, from 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
Healthcare experts said the findings provide encouraging real-world evidence that maternal vaccination can help protect babies from severe RSV illness and reduce the need for hospital care.
Maternal RSV vaccination cuts infant hospitalisation risk by about 80%
Source: JAMA Pediatrics study, reported by RACGP newsGP.