State and territory nirsevimab (Beyfortus) infant program summary

This resource outlines program dates, eligibility criteria – for both the overall nirsevimab program and catch-up programs – and administration locations.

On 3 February 2025, the National RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program (RSV-MIPP) commenced with the roll-out of the National Immunisation Program-funded RSV vaccine for pregnant women (Abrysvo). This comprehensive program provides multiple opportunities for infants and young children to be protected from severe RSV disease.

The other component of the RSV-MIPP is the state- and territory-funded nirsevimab for infants program.

See below for a summary of current state and territory program criteria.

Last updated: 17 April 2026

State/territory	Year-round/seasonal; program commencement/ eligibility date	2026 program eligibility criteria	Administration locations^†
Australian Capital Territory	Year-round From 17 March 2025	Criteria as listed in the Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants aged 8 to less than 24 months entering their second or subsequent RSV season; see Additional notes	Hospitals with birthing services Hospitals with paediatric services General practice Aboriginal medical services
New South Wales: For the general public For health professionals	Year-round From 17 March 2025 (state-wide program)	Infants aged up to 6 months: whose mothers did not receive RSV vaccine during pregnancy whose mothers did not receive RSV vaccine at least 2 weeks before giving birth whose mothers had immunosuppression, where the immune response to RSV vaccine was impaired who have a risk condition* for severe RSV disease, regardless of maternal vaccination status Infants/young children aged 7–24 months entering their second or subsequent RSV season who: have a risk condition* for severe RSV disease – regardless of maternal vaccination status or receipt of nirsevimab or palivizumab in their first RSV season.	Hospitals with birthing services Hospitals with paediatric services General practice Aboriginal medical services Community health services
Northern Territory	Year-round From February 2025	Criteria as listed in the AIH; see Additional notes	Hospitals with birthing services Hospitals with paediatric services
Queensland	Year-round From 15 April 2024	Criteria as listed in the AIH Infants and young children aged less than 24 months who: are receiving active chemotherapy have a condition associated with increased risk of severe RSV disease, after discussion with a paediatric infectious diseases specialist See Additional notes	Hospitals with birthing services General practice Community clinics Aboriginal medical services
South Australia	Seasonal 1 April–30 September 2026	Criteria as listed in the AIH; see Additional notes	Hospitals with birthing services Hospitals with paediatric services General practice
Tasmania	Seasonal 1 April–31 October 2026	Criteria as listed in the AIH; see Additional notes	Hospitals with birthing services General practice Outpatient clinics
Victoria	Seasonal mid-March–30 September 2026	Criteria as listed in the AIH Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants aged 8 to less than 24 months entering their second or subsequent RSV season; see Additional notes	Hospitals with birthing services Hospitals with paediatric services General practice Outpatient departments Aboriginal medical services Community health services (rural) Local council
Western Australia	Seasonal (all areas except for the Kimberley and Pilbara regions) 1 April–30 September 2026	Infants born between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026: regardless of maternal vaccination and a child’s risk conditions (this can be given anytime from 1 April to 30 June) Infants born between 1 April and 30 September 2026: whose mothers who did not receive RSV vaccine at least 2 weeks before giving birth whose mothers had immunosuppression, where the immune response to RSV vaccine was impaired with a risk condition* for severe RSV disease, regardless of maternal vaccination Infants born on or after 1 October 2024 entering their second or subsequent RSV season: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children children aged 8 to less than 24 months with a risk condition* for severe RSV disease	Hospitals with birthing services Maternity services Community health services General practice Aboriginal medical services
Western Australia	Year-round (Kimberley and Pilbara regions only)	RSV immunisation is available year-round to the above cohorts who live in the Kimberly and Pilbara regions due to continuous RSV circulation in these areas.

^† Nirsevimab is not administered at pharmacies

* Risk conditions associated with increased risk of severe RSV disease in infants and young children (based on the AIH)

Preterm birth (<32 weeks gestational age)
Haemodynamically significant congenital heart disease
Significant immunosuppression – such as from malignancy, solid organ transplant, haematopoietic stem cell transplant or primary immune deficiencies such as severe combined immunodeficiency
Chronic lung disease requiring ongoing oxygen or respiratory support
Neurological conditions that impair respiratory function
Cystic fibrosis with severe lung disease or weight for length <10th percentile
Trisomy 21 or another genetic condition that increases the risk of severe RSV disease

Additional notes

Where it is stated that eligibility criteria align with Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH) recommendations, they are as follows:
- Infants entering their first RSV season who:
  - were born to women who did not receive RSV vaccine during pregnancy (every effort should be made to establish maternal vaccination status)
  - were born within 2 weeks of the mother receiving RSV vaccine during pregnancy
  - have risk conditions for severe RSV disease (see above) regardless of maternal vaccination
  - were born to mothers with severe immunosuppression, where the immune response to RSV vaccine was impaired
  - were born to mothers who have received RSV vaccine in pregnancy but who have subsequently undergone a treatment after birth, such as cardiopulmonary bypass or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, that may lead to loss of maternal antibodies.
- Infants/young children aged 8 to less than 24 months entering their second or subsequent RSV season who:
  - have a risk condition for severe RSV disease (see above) – regardless of maternal vaccination or receipt of nirsevimab or palivizumab in their first RSV season.
Eligibility for state and territory-funded nirsevimab does not require a Medicare number.
Lodgement of the infant’s dose on the Australian Immunisation Register can be completed without a Medicare number.

Back to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation

42 views