The respiratory virus is the leading cause of hospitalisation for infants, with 12,000 babies admitted each year. Before next winter, protection for mums and bubs will be free.

Pregnant mums and newborns will receive free vaccinations against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) under the federal government's new nationwide immunisation program. Health Minister Mark Butler said children under two years old would be eligible for the jab during winter,

The federal government will place RSV vaccines on the national immunisation program, as 12,000 babies are hospitalised with the virus each winter.

GSK has received Canadian approval for its respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in adults between 50 and 59, the company said on Tuesday, making it the country's first authorized RSV shot for that age group.

The bivalent RSV prefusion F vaccine (Abrysvo) demonstrated 90% vaccine effectiveness (VE) in high-risk adults against hospitalizations or emergency department (ED) visits associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to recent real-world data presented at the IDWeek annual meeting in Los Angeles.