Newborns in Queensland and NSW will be eligible for a free dose of nirsevimab, the newly registered respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis, under new immunisation programs this winter.

From April, more than 70,000 infants in Queensland will be offered the long-acting monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus) under a $31 million statewide program.

All children born on or after the program start date will be eligible until eight months of age, in addition to Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander infants who are currently aged eight months or younger.

Infants with “certain complex medical conditions” that increase their risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are eligible if they are currently aged 19 months or younger, until 31 October 2024.