The Immunisation Foundation of Australia is calling for greater uptake of the RSV vaccine among older adults, with case numbers outstripping those for influenza and covid.
Around one million fewer older Australians have received an RSV vaccine than an influenza vaccine this year, despite RSV causing more reported cases than influenza or COVID-19 during the first half of 2026, new data from the Immunisation Foundation of Australia shows.
The Foundation’s Mid-Winter RSV Report Card reports that 722,530 older Australians (people aged ≥75 years, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged ≥60 years) have been vaccinated against RSV in 2026, while 1.76 million people in the same age groups have received their flu shot over the same time frame.
The IFA described this gap as “particularly concerning”, given RSV case numbers were significantly higher than those of influenza or covid-19 during the first half of 2026.
The National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System received 83,678 notifications of RSV between 1 January and 30 June, compared to 49,785 for influenza and 51,655 for covid.
Almost half of the confirmed cases of RSV (38,563) occurred in children under the age of five years, with children aged five to nine and adults aged 85 years and up the next most commonly affected.
New South Wales has been the hardest hit by RSV this year, accounting for 47% of the confirmed case load, well ahead of Queensland (21%), Victoria (19%), Western Australia (6%), South Australia (4%), and Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory (all 1% each).
“The fact that more than 700,000 vulnerable older Australians received the RSV vaccine in the first two months of the vaccination program is an outstanding effort by the community and immunisation providers,” said IFA Founder and Executive Director Catherine Hughes AM.
“However, there is still a massive gap in RSV vaccination coverage and an urgent need for older adults to roll up their sleeves.
“The RSV vaccine was unfortunately not available in April and early May when many older Australians receive their flu shot, so it’s clear there is some catching up to do.”
The Department of Health, Disability and Aging has estimated there will be at least another 40,000 RSV cases by winter’s end.
Dr Danielle McMullen, president of the Australian Medical Association, said the RSV vaccine could stop thousands of hospitalisations over the coming months.
“With so many Australians yet to be protected against RSV, it’s essential that people speak to a healthcare professional about RSV protection. Now is the time to act – winter is far from over,” she said.
“Getting protected against RSV is an incredibly simple yet effective way to help prevent serious illness and stay out of hospital.”
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In more positive news, Ms Hughes said that the national RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program had exceeded expectations.
The RSV-MIPP offers free maternal RSV vaccination for pregnant women, while newborns who did not receive protection during pregnancy are eligible for the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab through state- and territory-funded programs.
“Since the nationwide program began last year, more than 360,000 Australian babies have been protected against severe RSV,” she said.
“Early evidence shows the program is a resounding success. Thousands of families are being spared the trauma of their baby being admitted to hospital and requiring oxygen support or intensive care due to RSV.”
Data from the Australian Immunisation Register shows more than 119,000 infants across the country have been immunised against RSV since January.
