​​​​​​What is nirsevimab (also known as Beyfortus^​TM)?

Nirsevimab (also known as Beyfortus^TM) is an RSV immunisation product​ for babies. It protects babies from serious RSV illness for at least five months. Studies show nirsevimab lowers the chance of a baby needing to go to hospital for RSV by more than 80%.

How does nirsevimab work?

Babies are born with weak immune systems and they can’t make enough antibodies, which are proteins that fight infections. Nirsevimab is an injection that gives babies ready-made antibodies, to protect them from RSV in their first six months of life. This gives them the antibodies they need right away. This is different to a vaccine that trains the immune system to make its own antibodies in about two weeks.

Should my baby have nirsevimab?

The maternal RSV vaccine Abrysvo® will be available for free under the National Immunisation Program from 3 February 2025. When you are pregnant and have the maternal RSV vaccine, the antibodies pass to your baby. Vaccination during pregnancy is recommended under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and is a safe and effective way of protecting babies from RSV.

Some babies may also need extra protection with nirsevimab.

In NSW, a time-limited RSV Vulnerable Babies Program started on 25 March 2024 for babies at risk of severe illness from RSV. The program will end on 16 March 2025, when the new NSW RSV Prevention Program starts.

Under the NSW RSV Vulnerable Babies Program nirsevimab is recommended for babies who are:

• premature (born less than 37 weeks pregnancy)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, or
• with a medical condition that makes them more likely to get very sick from RSV.

Under the new NSW RSV Prevention Program, nirsevimab is recommended at birth for babies who are born on or after 17 March 2025:

• to a mother who did not get the RSV vaccine Abrysvo® during pregnancy
• to a mother who had the RSV vaccine Abrysvo® less than 2 weeks before giving birth
• to a mother who has a very weak immune system (even if she had the RSV vaccine).

Some children also need another dose of nirsevimab in their second year of life if they have a medical condition that makes them more likely to get very sick from RSV.

Babies born from 1 October 2024 that missed out on nirsevimab at birth under the NSW RSV Vulnerable Babies Program are also recommended to receive nirsevimab.

Talk to your doctor to if you think your baby should have nirsevimab.

Where can my baby get nirsevimab?

Babies who are eligible to receive nirsevimab under the current NSW RSV Vulnerable Babies Program will get it in the hospital where they are born or from an Aboriginal medical service.

From 17 March 2025:

• Babies that should have nirsevimab at birth under the new NSW RSV Prevention Program will get it in the hospital where they are born.
• Children up to 24 months of age who are eligible to receive nirsevimab, or if they missed out on nirsevimab at birth under the NSW RSV Vulnerable Babies Program, can get it from their local doctor or Aboriginal medical service. Some community health centres may also offer it.

Can nirsevimab be given with other childhood vaccines?

Yes. Babies who need nirsevimab at birth can also have the hepatitis B vaccine and vitamin K injection at the same time. These are routinely offered at birth.

Nirsevimab can be safely given with other childhood vaccines.

How is nirsevimab given?

Nirsevimab is given as an injection into the muscle.

Can nirsevimab cause RSV illness?

No, nirsevimab does not have RSV in it. It cannot cause RSV illness.

What are the side effects of nirsevimab?

Most babies have no side effects. Mild side effects can be:

• pain or redness in the area where the needle was given
• swelling and hardness on the skin where the needle was given
• rash and fever.

If you are worried about side effects, speak to:

• your nurse, doctor or paediatrician
• healthdirect by calling 1800 022 222.

In an emergency, call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.

Is nirsevimab free?

Yes, nirsevimab is free to eligible babies to protect them from severe RSV illness. It is not available for private purchase.

Where will my child’s immunisation be recorded?

Your child’s immunisation with nirsevimab will be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

You can see their immunisation record by logging into your Medicare account in MyGov.

More information

To learn more you can:

• read the Consumer Medicine Information leaflet for Beyfortus^™ (nirsevimab)
• read the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network’s Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody fact sheet
• talk to your doctor.