Pharmac is making it easier for vulnerable babies, to receive a preventative treatment for respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, this winter.

Last year, a surge in cases of the potentially fatal virus affected babies and infants, leaving children's wards full, while Pharmac struggled to secure supplies of a steroid based treatment.

Now, it's arranged for young children at risk of severe illness from RSV to get monthly injections of Palivizumab.

Pharmac's director of operations Lisa Williams spoke to Māni Dunlop about the decision.