Free respiratory virus (RSV) vaccines will be available to older Australians from next month, amid concerns about people contracting the deadly virus from their grandchildren or in aged care.
All Australians aged 75 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over will be able to receive the vaccine for free from 15 May.
The expansion of the federal government’s free vaccination program, which provides vaccinations to pregnant women, comes ahead of winter, which is the peak season for infections.
The elderly face a greater risk from RSV, which is a common respiratory virus that can require hospitalization or in some cases cause death in vulnerable individuals.
The vaccine, which is usually one lifetime dose for seniors, would cost $300.
It is available through local health services, including GPs, immunization clinics, participating pharmacies and Aboriginal health services.
Elderly care residents are at high risk of spreading infections due to shared housing.
“I encourage eligible Australians to protect themselves and their communities this winter by getting vaccinated against RSV,” federal Health Minister Mark Butler said.
The Government has provided $445.3 million to provide free RSV vaccination to eligible Australians through the National Immunization Program.
Government programs offer the vaccine for free to some eligible infants. More than 225,000 mothers have received the maternal RSV vaccine to protect their children from the deadly disease since the first free shots were given last February.
This has resulted in a 10 percent decrease in RSV cases in young children, which have decreased from 86,000 in 2024 to 78,000 in 2025.
Sydney School of Medicine head of general practice Professor Charlotte Hespe said RSV had not been recognized as a serious health threat to older adults.
“Enabling older Australians to get a subsidized RSV vaccine is an immediate step towards prevention,” Hespe said. “(It can) be given at the same time as the flu, making appointments better timed.”
With older people playing an important role in childcare, Seniors Australia’s National Chief Executive Chris Grice said the free vaccination program was a positive response to changing demographics.
“Many are actively involved in caring for grandchildren, which can increase their risk of RSV,” Grice said.
“RSV spreads easily between family members, so it’s important for adults to be aware of the risks and implications for their health.
“This funding recognizes risk and helps seniors make informed decisions about protecting their health.”
Butler also encouraged people to get a flu shot before winter.
“Protecting yourself and your family with the flu vaccine every year is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and others from the flu,” he said.
“No two flu seasons are the same, and the flu can spread throughout the year, so it’s never too late to get vaccinated.”
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Mike Foley is the climate and energy columnist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect through email address.
