RISE Against RSV

As world leaders in RSV research and informing immunisation policy, The Kids Research Institute Australia is proud to lead RISE Against RSV, a five-year national collaboration spanning research, government, healthcare and policy to generate the evidence needed to inform RSV immunisation decisions across Australia. Chief Investigator Professor Hannah Moore OAM is also Theme Head, Infectious Diseases at The Kids.

RSV and Why It Matters

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a highly contagious respiratory virus and a leading cause of infection worldwide. In Australia, 2024 saw record-breaking case numbers, making RSV the number one cause of hospitalisation in children under five. Babies under six months are most vulnerable, facing the highest risk of severe illness and complications such as bronchiolitis.

A Turning Point in Prevention

Since 2025, two promising prevention strategies have become available: a long-acting monoclonal antibody (mAb) given to infants, and a maternal vaccine administered during pregnancy. Both are considered global game-changers for infant health, offering passive protection to the age group that carries the greatest burden of disease.

Countries around the world are now working to determine the best RSV prevention approach, with questions still open around cost-effectiveness, policy, implementation, and community acceptance. In the absence of a national strategy, Western Australia, NSW, and Queensland took the lead in 2024, launching state-funded (hybrid) programs using: a long-acting monoclonal antibody (mAb) given to infants and a maternal vaccine given during pregnancy.

Building on Western Australian Leadership

Western Australia's STAMP RSV program has already broken ground at a state level, in the midst of developing effective, efficient RSV control policies to reduce both the health and economic burden of the virus.

The National "RISE" project builds on this momentum. Drawing on population-based linked data, a proven infant immunisation program, and deep expertise in RSV epidemiology, clinical networks, health modelling, and policy, RISE has a clear vision: to reduce the health and economic burden of RSV through effective and equitable immunisation.

To achieve this, RISE will develop and calibrate a mathematical transmission model using real-world effectiveness data to evaluate different immunisation scenarios and forecast reductions in RSV burden. The project will assess applicability across Australia and priority population groups, conduct economic analyses to guide decision-making, and integrate community attitudes to support strong, equitable vaccine uptake.

Overarching goal of RISE: To answer “What is the most effective and equitable immunisation strategy to reduce the burden of severe RSV infection in infants and families?”

Program Aims

1. Understand how different RSV immunisation options could reduce illness by using real-world data to predict their impact. 
2. Make sure RSV prevention works for all Australians by exploring how different immunisation strategies perform in different communities and regions.
3. Understand the health and economic benefits of RSV immunisation by comparing the costs and outcomes of different prevention approaches.
4. Support better decisions by working with governments, healthcare providers and the community to develop practical tools and continually improve recommendations using real-world evidence.