A vaccination programme has cut hospital admissions for a respiratory virus amongst older people in Scotland by nearly two-thirds.  

A study by the University of Strathclyde and Public Health Scotland (PHS) shows a 62% reduction in hospitalisations related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among the eligible age group following introduction of the programme in August 2024. 

Local health boards invited adults aged 75-79, including those turning 75 before July 2025, to come forward for their free RSV vaccine ahead of the winter.

By the end of November 2024, uptake of the vaccine in this group had reached 68%. 

Common virus

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 illness from the infection, including older adults. 

The new study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, is the first to give evidence of the impact of the RSV vaccination programme 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. 

Professor Chris Robertson, of Strathclyde’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics and PHS, a partner in the study, said:

Our data shows that the programme has had rapid success, not only in the reduction in hospital admissions linked to RSV in the age groups vaccinated but also in the extent of the vaccine uptake. People receiving the receiving the vaccination are protecting themselves and it will be important to maintain the uptake at high levels.

Serious illness

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. 

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

“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.”