3 days Ago
The analysis, by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and published in The Lancet, found the vaccine had led to 30 per cent fewer hospitalisations among 75 to 79-year-olds than would have occurred without the jab. This reduction was observed after about 40 per cent of eligible older people received the vaccine this winter. In the South West, 51.
9 per cent of eligible adults had been vaccinated by the end of January. The UKHSA compared hospitalisation data from vaccinated age groups with those outside the programme to predict what admission rates would have been without the vaccine. READ: 72,000 elderly hospital admissions for Dorset NHS Trust 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. "Our analysis clearly demonstrates the excellent benefit of RSV vaccination for older people in avoiding severe illness, with a direct impact on reducing hospital admissions." The NHS's campaign has vaccinated more than 50 per cent of those eligible since launching in September 2024.
However, more than one million people have yet to receive their vaccination. Professor Wei Shen Lim, consultant respiratory physician at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and JCVI deputy chair, said: "Older people admitted to hospital with respiratory infections due to RSV may become severely ill, to a similar extent as those admitted with flu. "The RSV vaccine provides a high level of protection against being hospitalised and this protection is expected to last more than 12 months.
" The UKHSA will also evaluate infant RSV admissions prevented by a maternal vaccine programme. Emerging evidence from other countries with similar programmes indicates a clear benefit. A 2024 study in Argentina, one of the first countries to introduce a maternal vaccine, showed a 70 per cent reduction in RSV hospital admissions in infants up to six months of age born to vaccinated mothers.
READ: Older people could face 450 questions for financial support In England, 39 per cent of women who gave birth in October 2024 had received an RSV vaccine. The vaccine is offered from week 28 of pregnancy and eligible women who have not yet been vaccinated can contact their maternity service or GP practice to arrange an appointment. Minister for public health and prevention, Ashley Dalton, said: "These results from our RSV vaccination programmes are incredibly encouraging.
"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. "The evidence is clear: this vaccine works and is helping protect vulnerable groups while reducing pressure on our NHS.".
