"Refused RSV vaccination"

I’m reaching out with feedback about the roll out of the Nirsevimab vaccine and eligibility criteria. I have been trying and failing to obtain this vaccine for my 8 month old baby since the roll out on April 1st. I have also tried & failed to pay for this vaccine privately as my child has been deemed ineligible. I am concerned heading in to winter for the health risk to my infant without this vaccine.

On the healthy WA website, “This includes infants who are under eight months old and entering their first RSV season.”

My child was born 24/7/23, this winter will technically be their second RSV season as they were born in the peak of RSV season in 2023. My child has recently recovered from their second Covid infection in their 8 months of life. Both illnesses have had significant impact on his health including x4 ED presentations for respiratory distress, subsequent bronchiolitis diagnosis and symptoms lasting >4 weeks this time. Not to mention the anxiety & worry this has caused my partner & I watching our infant battle germs too big for their small body.

I am on parental leave from my role as a CN & CNS in child health. As an emergency nurse & immuniser I am not only concerned for the potential health risk to my child in the coming months with their exisiting vulnerability but the pressure I’m sure this will put on our Emergency Departments this winter without preventative vaccine, especially for those wanting to access it?!

I am so pleased WA health is offering this vaccine, having nursed many children with RSV I’m very aware of how dangerous this virus can be. You can imagine the disappointment I am experiencing that my child has not been deemed eligible.

I have much respect for the health service that I access as a parent however am struggling to understand the rationale to exclude infants under 12 months of age from this vaccine?

Recently, while receiving the meningococcal B & flu vax in Margaret River for my child I enquired again about the RSV vaccine, again. We were declined as per guideline. I’m aware this is ‘care opinion’ & not an avenue where I can request a script for this vaccine but I would love to be contacted about scope to access this vaccine or if there is another way to protect my child heading in to RSV season?

Kind regards,

Worried parent