Paediatrician one of many in support of publicly-funded RSV vaccination - survey
A recent survey indicates that 70% of New Zealanders support publicly funding RSV vaccinations for infants and pregnant women. Medical professionals advocate for the program to reduce hospital admissions and protect vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
Public health initiatives regarding RSV can significantly reduce the burden on hospital systems and improve infant health outcomes.
A survey of more than 1000 people has found most respondents support introducing a funded vaccination for RSV.
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a common illness that causes lung and respiratory tract infections , with similar symptoms to a cold. In young children, it can cause serious complications .
In July, a briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre showed a universal vaccination programme could free up thousands of hospital beds each year.
An online survey of 1028 New Zealanders aged 18 or over was conducted in early August, run by Horizon Research, with the results weighted on age, gender, ethnicity, income, region and party vote 2023 to match the New Zealand adult population.
Seventy percent of respondents were in favour of publicly funding RSV immunisation for eligible infants, and vaccination during pregnancy. Nine percent were against it.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in