UK-wide report highlights success of Scotland’s RSV vaccination programme

Scotland's roll-out of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme has demonstrated strong uptake and significant health impact, showing how high uptake rates and an early rollout protected more people from serious respiratory illness last winter.

Figures published by Public Health Scotland (PHS) show that 70.6% of eligible older adults in Scotland had received the RSV vaccine by 11 May 2025. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that this is a higher uptake than in England (58.9%) and Wales (44.9%).

RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can lead to serious illness, especially in older adults and infants. To protect vulnerable people, the RSV vaccination programmes began across the UK in 2024, with Scotland being the first UK nation to start vaccinating on 12 August.

The early and successful implementation of Scotland’s programme made a measurable difference in reducing serious illness over the 2024-25 winter season. In Scotland, we saw a 62% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations among those in the older adults eligibility age group following the vaccine’s introduction. This is a greater impact than was shown in England, where there was a 33% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations in the same group. This may have been due to the programme starting later in England and lower uptake.

The maternal vaccine, which is offered from 28 weeks of pregnancy, is given to mothers to protect their newborn baby. 49.6% of pregnant women in Scotland received the vaccine by 11 May 2025.

PHS will soon publish data showing the impact of the vaccine in reducing the number of babies who needed to be admitted to hospital with serious RSV-related illness.

Dr Kimberly Marsh, Interim Lead, Viral Respiratory Pathogens at PHS said:

 “Today’s report from UKHSA clearly demonstrates the power of prevention.  These results show how high rates of uptake, and a strong rollout ahead of winter worked to protect people in Scotland against RSV.  We’re very encouraged by the number of eligible people who have already chosen to get their RSV vaccine.  This year’s older adults programme is already underway, and we urge those eligible to take up the vaccine offer to protect themselves against RSV this winter.”

Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said:

“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 report demonstrates just how many people took advantage of the early start and extensive pre-winter roll-out and avoided ending up in hospital as a result.

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

“It is encouraging to see that by 11 May this year 70.6% of eligible older adults in Scotland had received an RSV vaccine. This year’s older adult programme has already started, with pregnancy vaccination available year-round, and I’d urge all those eligible to come forward for their vaccine when called.

“This vaccine is incredibly important for older adults and also pregnant women to protect their newborn babies from this common winter virus.”

People who are turning 75 years old between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026 are receiving invitations for their RSV vaccine this year.  Eligible older adults who missed last year’s RSV vaccination should visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-adult for details on how to arrange getting their vaccine.  

The RSV vaccine during pregnancy is available all year round to women from their 28^th week of pregnancy. More information on how RSV vaccination protects infants is also available on https://www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-baby

Read UKHSA's 4 Nations RSV report.

Read our news story from February 2025 - Launch of new RSV vaccine results in encouraging reduction in hospitalisations.

Read our latest viral respiratory surveillance report.

Read our blog - Exploring the success of Scotland's older adult RSV vaccine programme and why this matters to us all.

Read about the service delivery evaluation of the RSV programme in Scotland.