You may have seen news recently about a vaccine called Arexvy being added to the National Immunisation Program. It’s a significant development for older Australians — and if you’re aged 75 or over, or an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 60 or over, it’s directly relevant to you.
From 15 May 2026, the RSV vaccine Arexvy is available at no cost for eligible Australians. Here’s everything you need to know about what RSV is, who it affects, why this vaccine matters, and how to access it through your nearest FTMC practice.
What Is RSV?
RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It’s a common, highly contagious virus that most people encounter multiple times throughout their lives — often mistaken for a heavy cold, with symptoms including a runny or blocked nose, sore throat, cough, fatigue, and sometimes fever.
The virus spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, and can survive on surfaces for several hours. In shared environments — including aged care facilities, workplaces, and community spaces — it moves quickly from person to person.
For younger, healthy adults, RSV usually runs its course within one to two weeks. But RSV is not only a childhood illness, and it is not a mild inconvenience for older adults. Its impact on people over 60 is frequently underestimated, and for many years the absence of a funded vaccine left a meaningful gap in Australia’s winter health protection.
How Serious Is RSV in Older Adults?
This is where the picture changes significantly from what most people expect.
In 2025, Australia recorded nearly 180,000 cases of RSV nationally. More than 40,000 of those cases were in adults aged 60 and over. Research shows that older adults hospitalised with RSV tend to experience longer hospital stays and worse outcomes than younger patients, partly because the immune system weakens with age, reducing the body’s ability to mount a strong response to respiratory infection.
For people already managing conditions like COPD, asthma, congestive heart failure, or diabetes, RSV can trigger severe exacerbations and complications that are difficult to recover from quickly. In some cases it leads to pneumonia, intensive care admission, or death. Long-term consequences for older adults who survive a serious RSV hospitalisation can include reduced lung function, increased dependence on care, and lasting loss of independence.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately represented among RSV hospitalisations — a reflection of higher rates of chronic disease and other health inequalities — which is why the NIP program sets an eligibility age of 60 for First Nations people, 15 years earlier than the general population threshold.
RSV typically peaks in autumn and winter in temperate parts of Australia, overlapping closely with influenza season. This winter, with vaccination options now available against flu, RSV, and COVID-19, there is a genuine opportunity to build comprehensive respiratory protection for those most at risk.
What Is Arexvy?
Arexvy is an RSV vaccine developed by GSK and registered by the TGA for use in adults aged 60 and over. It has been available on the private market in Australia, but at a cost of around $300 out of pocket — a price point that was a genuine barrier for many older Australians, particularly those on fixed incomes.
The federal government’s decision to list Arexvy on the National Immunisation Program, backed by a $445.3 million investment, removes that barrier for more than two million eligible Australians. For people who have been aware of the vaccine but put it off because of the cost, this is the moment to act.
Arexvy works by introducing a stabilised form of the RSV fusion protein — the part of the virus that enables it to enter human cells — to your immune system. This triggers an antibody response without causing infection. Clinical trial data has shown protection rates of around 80 to 90 percent against severe RSV disease. Professor Hubertus Jersmann, a respiratory physician at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, described it simply: “It’s a lifesaver.”
One Dose, Two Seasons of Protection
Unlike the flu vaccine, Arexvy does not need to be given every year. A single dose provides protection for at least two seasons. There is currently no recommendation for a booster dose — if you have already received either Arexvy or the alternative RSV vaccine Abrysvo at any point, you do not need a repeat dose at this stage. Research on longer-term revaccination is ongoing, and updated guidance will be issued when that evidence is available.
For most eligible people, a single appointment in May 2026 delivers protection that extends well beyond this winter.
Who Is Eligible for a Free Arexvy Vaccination?
From 15 May 2026, Arexvy is free under the National Immunisation Program for:
- All adults aged 75 years and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 60 years and over
Adults aged 60 to 74 without additional risk factors are not currently funded under the NIP but can consider RSV vaccination privately. People aged 50 to 59 with medical conditions that significantly increase their risk of severe RSV disease may also be able to access Arexvy privately — your GP can advise whether this is appropriate for you.
If you’re unsure whether you fall into the funded group, call our practice and our team will confirm your eligibility quickly.
What About RSV Protection for Pregnant Women and Infants?
Arexvy is specifically for older adults and is not approved for use in pregnant women or children. A separate RSV vaccine, Abrysvo, is already funded under the NIP for pregnant women from 28 weeks gestation and has been available since February 2025. This maternal vaccine works by passing protective antibodies to the baby through the placenta, providing protection from birth for up to six months. State-funded programs also provide a long-acting monoclonal antibody called Beyfortus (nirsevimab) for eligible infants. These programs are separate from the Arexvy program but together represent a comprehensive approach to reducing RSV’s burden across all vulnerable age groups.
Can Arexvy Be Given at the Same Time as Other Vaccines?
Yes. Arexvy can be safely co-administered with the seasonal flu vaccine — meaning eligible patients can receive protection against both RSV and influenza in a single appointment. This is particularly practical for older adults who want to consolidate their winter health visits. It can also be co-administered with COVID-19 vaccines where clinically appropriate. Your GP can advise what makes sense for your individual circumstances when you book.
Are There Any Side Effects?
As with all vaccines, Arexvy can cause short-term reactions. The most commonly reported are local — tenderness, redness or swelling at the injection site — alongside general symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and muscle aches. These typically resolve within two to three days and reflect a normal immune response.
Post-marketing surveillance has flagged a very small and rare possible association between RSV vaccines, including Arexvy, and a neurological condition called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in people aged 60 and over, based on international data. No GBS cases related to Arexvy have been reported in Australia to date. The TGA continues to monitor the situation and maintains that the benefits of RSV vaccination clearly outweigh the risks for eligible groups.
If you have a history of severe allergic reactions or neurological conditions, mention this when you speak with your GP before receiving the vaccine.
When and How to Book?
Arexvy becomes available under the NIP from 15 May 2026. Getting vaccinated in May means full protection is in place before RSV peaks through the winter months. Our recommendation is to book as soon as you’re eligible — as with the flu vaccine, early movers avoid supply constraints as demand ramps up.
To book at any of our FTMC practices, use our online booking system through HotDoc or call us directly on (02) 6555 0444. Let our team know you’re interested in the RSV vaccine when you get in touch, and whether you’d like to combine it with your flu vaccination in the same appointment.
All four practices will be administering Arexvy from 15 May:
- Forster Tuncurry Medical Centre — 14-16 South Street, Forster (open 7 days)
- Macintosh Medical Centre — 97-99 MacIntosh Street, Forster (Mon–Fri)
- Pacific Palms Medical Centre — 208 Boomerang Drive, Blueys Beach (Mon–Fri)
- South Street Medical Centre — Suite 4, 12 South Street, Forster (Mon–Fri)
If you have questions about Arexvy, RSV, or any aspect of your health heading into winter, your GP is the right person to talk to. This is exactly the kind of conversation we’re here to have.
Book online or call us on (02) 6555 0444.
