A new study has found a major drop in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) related hospitalisations following vaccination among eligible age groups in Scotland.
The study, from Public Health Scotland (PHS) and the University of Strathclyde, showed a 62% reduction in RSV-related hospitalisations among those who received the vaccine and concludes the vaccine is effective in reducing such hospitalisations in older adults.
RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus which impacts the breathing system and can be a serious health risk for vulnerable groups, including older adults.
The study is described as one of the first real-world investigations from the UK and Europe into the impact of the RSV vaccine on older people, focused on a period of high seasonal RSV circulation.
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Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, head of immunisation and vaccination at PHS, said the study showed the importance of RSV vaccine uptake in protecting older groups.
‘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,’ he added.
Hospitals across the UK have faced unprecedented levels of respiratory viruses in recent months with NHS England tackling a ‘quad-demic’ of RSV, flu, norovirus and Covid-19 over winter.
Scotland launched an RSV vaccination programme in August last year, using the Pfizer ABRYSVO vaccine, with local adults inviting aged between 75 and 79 to come forward for their free RSV vaccination before winter.
By the end of November 2024, there was a 68% uptake of the vaccine in this older adult population.
A separate programme was also run for pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy to protect infants from the virus.
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The study is the first to demonstrate the positive impact of the RSV vaccination programme in reducing hospital admissions in Scotland and shows the importance of older adults coming forward for their vaccine, the authors say.
One dose of the vaccine offers multi-year protection, and the results of the study suggest that, in the first year alone, the vaccine programme has reduced serious ill-health among older adults.
In Scotland during November 2024, nearly two-thirds (62%) of hospital admissions for seasonal respiratory illnesses were due to RSV. In the same period, around 20% of admissions were for influenza and 18% for Covid-19.
Neil Gray, Scottish cabinet secretary for health and social care, said: ‘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 new born babies from RSV.’
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In December, The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stressed the importance of vaccinating children and young people against RSV.
