An Australian-first study demonstrating the effectiveness of a new immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for babies found it to be almost 90% effective in reducing hospitalization rates and helped more than 500 WA families avoid a hospital stay.

Led by researchers at the Wesfarmers Center of Vaccine and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, the REVIVE Study investigated RSV-related hospital admissions following the introduction of WA’s immunization program providing babies with a long-acting monoclonal antibody called nirsevimab.

Affecting the airways and lungs, RSV is a life-threatening virus responsible for sending 3.6 million children to hospitals worldwide each year. It is especially dangerous for vulnerable young babies at high risk of potentially deadly complications such as severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

“Western Australian researchers have had a long-term commitment to providing protection against RSV,” Dr. Ushma Wadia said.

“Last year, the WA Department of Health led the way as the first Australian state to offer the free RSV immunization program for all babies born throughout the winter season and this was extremely successful.

“More than 24,000 doses of nirsevimab were distributed throughout April—September last year, providing coverage to 85% of newborns and 66% of a ‘catch-up’ cohort of babies in the lead-up to their first winter season.

“With the support of Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, as well as the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation for our ongoing RSV research program, our team worked alongside WA Health to evaluate hospitalization rates at Perth Children’s Hospital, Fiona Stanley Hospital and Joondalup Health Campus, and allowed us to become the first place in the southern hemisphere to successfully demonstrate the major impact of RSV immunization in young babies.”

Published in the Journal of Infection, the study also investigated the effect immunization had on the severity of RSV cases, with nirsevimab recipients 60% less likely to require oxygen or assistance with their breathing if admitted with RSV.

Carrick Robinson, CEO of Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, said the results of this groundbreaking study are extremely promising. With a dramatic reduction in hospital admissions for RSV, WA is setting the standard in protecting our youngest and most vulnerable. Not only does this ease the pressure on our hospitals and emergency departments, but it also ensures families are spared the stress and strain of hospital stays.

“Through funding innovative initiatives like this, which have the potential to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families, as well as reducing the burden on the health care system, not only in WA but across Australia for years to come,” Robinson said.

For Professor Chris Blyth, Head of the Wesfarmers Center of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases and Perth Children’s Hospital physician, it is the global significance of this work that is hugely significant.

“The data gained from the REVIVE Study aligns with outcomes from research conducted in the northern hemisphere and can now be used as evidence to inform vaccine policy throughout the world, including in lower-income countries where morbidity rates for RSV are at their highest,” Professor Blyth said.

The success of WA’s nirsevimab program also contributed to the rollout of a national, $174.5 million RSV immunization program now under way for all pregnant women and newborn babies which hopes to keep 10,000 Australian babies out of hospital each year.

“Researchers from the Wesfarmers Center have spent the last two decades participating in global vaccine studies to develop safe and effective world-first RSV immunizations, so being able to see the outcomes of this work first-hand is certainly very rewarding for all involved,” Professor Blyth said.

Provided by
The Kids Research Institute Australia