Western Australia (WA) Government's announcement of older Western Australians living in residential aged care to receive free RSV immunization through a new $2.6 million state-funded program has been welcomed by the Royal Australian College of GPs or the RACGP. This is a first initiative where the Arexvy RSV vaccine that usually costs around $300 at private hospitals will be made available at no cost to Western Australians aged 65 and over residing in aged care facilities. As per the Depart of Health, there are about 15,000 aged care residents who will benefit by the vaccine this year. Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Is RSV?Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV is a common, contagious virus that usually causes mild symptoms. In older adults, including those with certain underlying conditions, RSV could cause severe infection. RSV is not a new virus and could be a bigger health concern than many think due to it being highly contagious.It is a type of respiratory virus that could cause infections of the lungs and the respiratory tracts, It is similar to other respiratory infections when it comes to spreading. How Does RSV Spread?It could spread through a cough, sneeze, or by exchange of saliva or using hand to cover a sneeze and not washing it. A person with RSV is typically contagious for three to eight days, for some people with weakened immune system, they could be contagious for four weeks even after they stop showing symptoms.Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Are The Symptoms?Symptoms of RSV could appear in three to four days and last up to two weeks. It could range from mild to severe symptoms in older adults. The common symptoms include:FeverCoughSore ThroatRunny NoseCongestionHeadacheTirednessWestern Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Is The RSV Season?The seasonality could vary based on geographic location, population density and even climate activity. However, majority of RSV cases follow the patter:Rise from mid September to mid NovemberPeak from late December to mid FebruaryDecline from mid April to mid MayWestern Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Does The Data Say?RSV is a major winter respiratory illness in Australia that results over 115,000 hospitalizations (2016 to 2019) as per the data presented by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCRIS), which is Australia's leading immunization organization. Its data notes that RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, with high rates in those under six months. As per the official website of Government of Western Australia, in 2025, Western Australia reported 12,804 RSV cases and around a third were in people over 65 who became "very unwell" and required hospital admission. This year's initiative thus aims to lower this number and to protect the seniors form this contagious disease. The Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook said, "Our health system is seeing more patients who are older, sicker and have complex heath needs, reflecting the impact of an ageing population. The RSV immunization program will keep more Western Australians well over the winter months and ease the pressure on our emergency departments."