Launch of new RSV vaccine results in encouraging reduction in hospitalisations

An exciting new study from Public Health Scotland (PHS), in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, shows a 62% reduction in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) related hospitalisations among the eligible age group following introduction of the vaccine.

The study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases today, concludes that the RSV vaccine is highly effective in reducing hospitalisations in older adults. 

RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system and can be very serious for those who are at the highest risk of serious illness from the infection, including older adults.

Scotland’s new RSV vaccination programme was launched in August last year with local health boards inviting adults aged 75-79, including those turning 75 before July 2025, to come forward for their free RSV vaccine ahead of winter.

By the end of November 2024, uptake of the vaccine in this older adult population had reached a notable 68%.

This study is the first to evidence the positive impact of the RSV vaccination programme in reducing hospitalisations in Scotland and underlines the importance of older adults coming forward for their vaccine. One dose of the RSV vaccine offers multi-year protection and the results of this study show that, in the first year alone, the programme has reduced serious illness among older adults.

Highlighting the importance of this study, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Immunisation and Vaccination at PHS, said:

“This study shows how effective the new RSV vaccine programme has been in reducing hospitalisations among those who are more vulnerable to serious complications of an RSV inflection.

"Vaccinations have played a major role in protecting the health of people across the globe over the last 50 years and the success of the RSV programme marks another significant step in protecting the population of Scotland against preventable diseases.

“Public Health Scotland continues to work closely with local health boards to ensure as many people as possible receive their vaccine. As well as being offered to older adults, the RSV vaccine is also offered during pregnancy. Getting vaccinated is the best and simplest thing you can do to protect yourself, or your newborn baby, against serious illness caused by RSV.” 

Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care said:

Once again we see evidence of the role which vaccinations play in preventing serious illness and keeping people out of hospital.

“We were pleased to be the first nation in the UK to introduce the new RSV vaccine in time to maximise the benefit to the more vulnerable ahead of winter. This research demonstrates just how many people avoided ending up in hospital as a result.

“RSV can be very serious for older adults, newborns and infants – potentially causing lung disease such as pneumonia.

“It is encouraging to see that by the end of November, 68% of eligible older adults had received their vaccinations and I’d urge all those eligible to come forward for their vaccine when called. It is incredibly important for older adults and pregnant women to protect their newborn babies from RSV.”

A copy of the paper is available on the PHS website

More information on the RSV vaccine is available on NHS Inform

More information on the RSV vaccine during pregnancy is available on NHS Inform

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