Your Community Care Chemist pharmacist immuniser can vaccinate all of the above groups against RSV.
For groups not covered by the free RSV vaccination program under the NIP, you can purchase the RSV vaccine privately (chat to your pharmacist immuniser about out of pocket costs)
Vaccination services are available at all our pharmacies year-round and are conducted in the privacy of our consulting rooms in-store.
To note: RSV vaccine stocks are still coming through to our pharmacies, if you cannot see a booking online, we recommend calling the pharmacy directly to check when stock may be available.
The RSV vaccine can be given at any time of the year. If you have not been vaccinated for RSV, vaccination is most beneficial before the start of the RSV season.
RSV infections most commonly occur in autumn and winter (usually between April and September). The RSV season peaks in June and July, often before influenza season peaks each year.
Yes, you can receive your RSV vaccination at the same time as, or separate from, other vaccines such as flu, COVID-19, shingles, and pneumococcal vaccines.
If you have any concerns around the timing of vaccinations, chat to your Community Care Chemist pharmacist immuniser.
Currently, only a single dose vaccination for RSV is recommended. Protection lasts for at least two years.
Recommendations on the need for any subsequent doses, will be provided via the Australian Government when data is available.
Community Care Chemist will share this information with our Geelong community if there’s any changes to the single dose recommendation.
If you are not eligible for a free RSV vaccine under the NIP, you can purchase one from Community Care Chemist without the need for a prescription.
Talk to your pharmacist immuniser in-store about private vaccination costs.
Anyone who wants to protect themselves against RSV can talk to their health professional about getting vaccinated.
If you are not eligible for a free RSV vaccine under the NIP, you can purchase one from Community Care Chemist without the need for a prescription.
Talk to your pharmacist immuniser in-store about private vaccination costs.
The maternal RSV vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and is recommended for women at 28–36 weeks pregnancy (prior to 37 weeks) to protect their baby.
RSV is a leading cause of hospitalisation in children aged less than 6 months. Even healthy infants and children can get very sick from RSV. Research shows that maternal vaccination reduces the risk of severe RSV illness in infants under 6 months of age by around 70%.
When a pregnant woman receives the maternal RSV vaccine, their immune system produces antibodies against RSV in the first couple of weeks after vaccination.
These antibodies are transferred through the placenta to the baby’s bloodstream. The antibodies help protect the infant against RSV from birth.
The process of providing antibodies from mother to baby is a form of passive immunisation and provides protection to the infant for up to 6 months from birth.
Information in this article sourced from Australian Government Department of Health Disability and Ageing:
