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Immunisation updates in the NWMPHN region

A man holds up his tshirt to reveal his upper arm with a band aid, indicating he has just received a vaccination
  12 December 2024  Dr Jeannie Knapp,…   

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) GP advisor, Dr Jeannie Knapp, summarises important recent immunisation updates.

RSV vaccine funded in 2025

In 2025, eligible pregnant women will be able to receive the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Abrysvo free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

The RSV vaccine is recommended for women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. It protects newborns from the virus.

Babies up to eight months old whose mothers have not received the vaccine will also be eligible for free monoclonal antibody immunisation Beyfortus (nirsevimab). Refer to this Victorian Department of Health page for more information.

RSV is a common infection. Almost all children will experience it at least once within the first two years of life.

Although most people experience a mild illness and recover in one or two weeks, RSV infections are especially serious for:

  • infants aged 12 months or under
  • young children or older adults with chronic health conditions.

RSV vaccination of pregnant mothers reduces the risk of severe RSV disease in infants under 6 months by around 70 per cent.

In 2024 there have been over 250 deaths in Australia from RSV infection.

Between 2016 and 2019 there were more than 115,000 hospitalisations with an RSV diagnosis. Most of these were for children aged less than 5 who were otherwise healthy.

The annual RSV hospitalisation rate for infants under 6 months over the same period was approximately 6,200 per 100,000 population. The highest rates – 7,200 per 100,000 – were in infants aged 0–2 months.

RSV vaccinations (Arexvy and Abrysvo) is also recommended for all older adults aged 60 or older. However, is not NIP funded.

Japanese encephalitis: expanded eligibility for funded vaccine

As of November 1, 2024, the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine became available to people living in four additional local government areas in Victoria: Alpine, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, and Mitchell. Full eligibility criteria here.

JE is a rare but potentially serious infection of the central nervous system caused by the JE virus. Cases were reported for the first time in Victoria in 2022, and continue to be reported here this mosquito season.

Pertussis infections still rampant

Pertussis (whooping cough) infections continue to increase in Victoria. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for the condition. See this article for an overview of pertussis infection.

(Pertussis cases in the Western Public Health Unit region. Source: Victorian Department of Health)

COVID-19

COVID-19 infections continue to hospitalise Victorians at high rates. In mid-November 2024 the 7-day average of hospitalisations was 173, compared to 112 the previous week. The 7-day average of ICU patients that week was 9.

Vaccination has slipped off the agenda for patients and doctors alike. The current ATAGI recommendations no longer include recent infection as an exclusion criterion.

Timing of further COVID-19 vaccine doses by age group and risk status (*See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for definitions and examples of severe immunocompromise)

See the updated Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care COVID-19 vaccination poster here.

Mpox – especially in Yarra and Darebin LGAs

Free mpox vaccine is available for eligible people through a wide range of providers for both prevention and post exposure prophylaxis.

Mpox cases continue to climb in Victoria. The highest number of notifications in October 2024 were for people aged 25-64 years and those living in Yarra and Darebin local government areas.

The majority of mpox notifications to the North Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU) have been in people assigned male at birth or people who have had sexual contact with a partner who reported recent MSM contact.

Mpox can spread through close, intimate contact, including:

  • direct skin-to-skin contact with mpox rash, lesions, sores, or scabs
  • contact with saliva, upper respiratory secretions, and bodily fluids
  • the virus can also be spread through contact with objects, fabrics, and surfaces that have not been disinfected after being used by someone with mpox.

The infectious period lasts from four days prior to first symptom onset until all lesions have developed scabs and fallen off.

Mpox usually results in mild illness with most symptoms resolving within a few weeks. However, severe disease requiring hospitalisation may occur.

Symptoms may resemble sexually transmissible infections (for example, syphilis) and coinfections can occur.

For more information: