New vaccine reduces risk of pneumonia in older adults

A new study from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has shown that the UK's first RSV vaccination programme is already making a significant impact, with hospital admissions down 30% among older people in England.

According to the latest figures, 51.9% of eligible adults in the South West have now received the RSV vaccine, and health experts are encouraging others to come forward.

The vaccine, which launched in September 2024, is available to people aged 75–79 and pregnant women, and is designed to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – a potentially serious illness that can lead to pneumonia and hospitalisation.

The UKHSA analysis, published in The Lancet, revealed that even with around 40% of eligible older people vaccinated in England, the programme had already reduced hospitalisations by nearly a third. Further uptake is expected to boost this even more.

While the UKHSA has not released hospital admission data specific to the South West, uptake in the region is ahead of the national average.

Dr Alasdair Wood, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West, said:

“RSV can be severe in older people, causing serious lung infections like pneumonia and flare-ups of existing conditions. If you’re eligible, there is good evidence it will help give you protection.

"Around half of eligible adults in the South West have already had the vaccine. If you're eligible, speak with your GP practice about how you can get protected.”

Pregnant women are also eligible for the RSV vaccine to help protect their babies from illness. The jab is recommended from week 28 of pregnancy.

“We encourage pregnant women to contact their maternity service or GP surgery to book an appointment in week 28 or as soon afterwards as possible,” added Dr Wood.

Early evidence from countries such as Argentina, where maternal RSV vaccination is already in place, has shown a 70% reduction in hospital admissions among infants whose mothers received the vaccine.

Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said: “This safe, effective and free vaccine for pregnant women and older adults is already protecting more than a million people from this potentially deadly disease.”

Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, added: “These findings demonstrate the success of the NHS’s first ever RSV vaccine rollout. More than 1.5 million older people have been vaccinated so far since the rollout was launched in September.”

Prof Wei Shen Lim, JCVI Deputy Chair, urged anyone eligible who hasn't yet taken up the offer to come forward ahead of next autumn.

UKHSA is continuing to monitor the programme’s impact and is expected to release further data on the infant vaccine later this year.