Dangerous winter virus far more than 'just a bad cold'

Older Australians are lining up for a new federally funded vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus, as health leaders warn the common winter illness is far more dangerous than "just a bad cold".

During RSV Awareness Week there's a fresh push from the Australian Medical Association and the Immunisation Foundation of Australia for older Australians and pregnant women to add the vaccination to their winter protection plan.

The virus can cause severe illness, hospitalisation and death, particularly in babies, older Australians and people with underlying conditions.

"Too many people still think RSV is just a bad cold, but for some Australians it can be far more serious than that," the association's president Danielle McMullen said.

RSV vaccines have been added to the National Immunisation Program, with free jabs now available for people 75 and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over.

A maternal RSV vaccine was added last year to help protect newborns in their first months of life, with authorities saying the vaccines are making a difference.

More than 225,000 mothers have received the maternal RSV vaccine since it was introduced in February 2024, helping drive a more than nine per cent drop in RSV cases in young children, from 86,000 in 2024 to 78,000 in 2025.

A new nationwide survey of 1011 Australians eligible for the free RSV shot suggests older Australians are broadly on board, with 60 per cent already vaccinated or intending to get the jab soon.

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) say RSV vaccination is as important as a flu shot.

Immunisation Foundation of Australia founder Catherine Hughes said the findings showed "older Australians are ready for RSV protection", but many still did not know the vaccine existed or that it was free.

"What's holding many back isn't reluctance; it's simply not knowing the vaccine exists or that it's now free. That's something we can fix," Ms Hughes said.

In 2025, there were 21,178 RSV notifications among Australians aged 75 and over, and nearly 500 deaths linked to severe RSV in the first nine months of the year.