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.
