Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory illness. This fact sheet is about nirsevimab (also known as BeyfortusTM), which is an RSV immunisation product that protects babies from RSV. For information about RSV, see the RSV fact sheet. For information about maternal RSV vaccination for pregnant women (Abrysvo®), see the Maternal RSV vaccination (Abrysvo®) fact sheet.
Nirsevimab (also known as Beyfortus™) is an RSV immunisation product for babies. It protects babies from serious RSV illness for five to six months. Studies show nirsevimab lowers the chance of a baby needing to go to hospital for RSV by more than 80%.
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 5 to 6 months of life. This gives them the antibodies they need right away. This is different from a vaccine, which trains the immune system to make its own antibodies in about two weeks.
The maternal RSV vaccine Abrysvo® is available for free under the National Immunisation Program. 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 if they have a medical condition that makes them at risk of severe disease from RSV.
In NSW, nirsevimab is recommended at birth for babies up to 6 months of age who are born:
Some children also need another dose of nirsevimab before their second or subsequent RSV season if they have a medical condition that makes them more likely to get very sick from RSV.
Talk to your doctor if you think your baby should have nirsevimab. Further information on which babies and infants should receive nirsevimab is available on the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
In NSW, babies that should have nirsevimab at birth will get it in the hospital where they are born. If your baby (up to 6 months of age) missed out on nirsevimab at birth before they are discharged from hospital, they can get it from their local doctor, Aboriginal medical service, or some community health centres.
Children aged 7 months to up to 24 months of age who are eligible to receive nirsevimab, can get it from their local doctor, Aboriginal medical service or some community health centres.
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.
Nirsevimab is given as an injection into the muscle.
No, nirsevimab does not have RSV in it. It cannot cause RSV illness.
Most babies have no side effects. Mild side effects can be:
If you are worried about side effects, speak to:
In an emergency, call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department.
Yes, nirsevimab is free to eligible babies to protect them from severe RSV illness. It is not available for private purchase.
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.
To learn more you can: