The RSV pregnancy vaccine is called Abrysvo®.
It helps your body make antibodies, which are proteins that fight infection.
Studies show that bubs of mothers who had the RSV pregnancy vaccine during pregnancy were 70% less likely to end up in hospital with RSV in their first 6 months.
When you are pregnant and have the RSV pregnancy vaccine, the antibodies pass to your bub through the placenta. This protects your bub from RSV. Your bub stays protected from birth until at least 6 months of age.
Only pregnant women should get the RSV pregnancy vaccine. Family members are not recommended to get this vaccine.
Yes, the RSV pregnancy vaccine is
safe for you and your bub. It prevents your bub from getting very sick from RSV and helps to keep them out of hospital.
The best time to get the RSV pregnancy vaccine is between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. It is best to get it as close to 28 weeks as possible to give your bub the best protection.
You can still have the vaccine after 36 weeks of pregnancy., But if you have your baby within 2 weeks of having the vaccine, the vaccine may not work properly. Your bub will be offered an RSV immunisation called nirsevimab to protect them instead.
Yes, you can get the RSV pregnancy vaccine at the same time as other pregnancy vaccines like those given for whooping cough and flu.
From 3 February 2025, the RSV pregnancy vaccine will be free for pregnant women.
Talk to your doctor, midwife, pharmacist immuniser, or health care provider about the RSV pregnancy vaccine in pregnancy.
The RSV pregnancy vaccine cannot make you sick with RSV.
You may have some side effects from the vaccine:
If you have other side effects, tell your midwife or doctor. Your doctor or midwife will check for signs of an allergic reaction after the vaccine.
Your RSV pregnancy vaccine will be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and may also be written in your hand-held antenatal card.
You can check your record by logging into your Medicare account in MyGov.