The RACGP is calling on the state’s government to follow in WA, NSW and Queensland’s footsteps to roll out a statewide RSV vaccination program for infants.
The Victorian government must roll out the life-saving RSV vaccination, says the RACGP, after an ordering blunder left the state’s babies at risk.
Last November the TGA approved monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus) as a one-off injection to prevent RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease in all infants entering their first RSV season and for children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.
WA, Queensland and NSW have since announced the rollout of immunisation programs across the states to protect infants from the potentially fatal virus after securing supply from the drug’s manufacturer, Sanofi.
But Victoria has been dragging its feet, despite federal data showing that cases in Victoria have risen from 3400 to 8584 from the first to second, and current, quarter of this year.
According to the Herald Sun, the state rejected an offer from Sanofi to procure the drug, meaning access will be limited for Victorian infants.
The state’s health minister Mary-Anne Thomas told the outlet that the vaccination was not approved for use in Australia when the state was approached to secure supply.
“Following its approval, my department acted to secure the supply for high-risk children in our hospitals, alongside palivizumab which has been administered to vulnerable children at risk of RSV for the past two decades,” she said.
“I want all Victorians to benefit from new life-saving vaccines and treatments which is why I wrote to the federal health minister Mark Butler about the need for the Commonwealth to update its legislation to allow new treatments like nirsevimab to be eligible for the National Immunisation Program.”
While the drug was approved by the TGA last year, a national rollout would not be possible until it is approved for federal subsidy.
Due to their supply deals with the manufacturer, NSW, Queensland and WA are already rolling out their immunisation programs.
The RACGP has called on the Victorian government to commit to rolling out the new RSV immunisation across the state.
RACGP Victoria chair Dr Anita Muñoz said immunisation could save vulnerable lives.
“This is an opportunity to prevent hospitalisation of babies and saves lives,” she said.
“With an immunisation program to match the one in WA, we can keep children out of hospital beds, save families from a terrible experience, and be proactive about public health to relieve pressure on our health system, including our already under-pressure hospitals.”
This story was first published by The Medical Republic. See the full story here.