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Community pharmacies in the east of England have delivered almost 16,000 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations, The Pharmaceutical Journal has learned.
Sarah Cavanagh, regional public health pharmacist at NHS England — East of England, told The Pharmaceutical Journal: “35 community pharmacies in Suffolk and Essex have now delivered approaching 16,000 vaccines.”
The RSV programme began on 1 September 2024, while pharmacies in the east of England joined in October 2024 as part of the ‘Independent prescribing in community pharmacy pathfinder programme’.
Meanwhile, data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), published on 17 April 2026, show that RSV vaccination has reduced hospitalisations of newborn babies by almost 85%.
The results of a study of babies born in 2024/2025, published on the same day as the UKHSA data, revealed that babies born at least four weeks after their mother was vaccinated had nearly 85% protection against RSV.
Vaccination still offers protection later in pregnancy, with babies born to mothers vaccinated 10–13 days before birth receiving 50% protection, the data show.
Researchers analysed the data of nearly 300,000 babies born in England between September 2024 and March 2025 — the first year of the RSV programme — which represented 90% of births in England during this period.
Vaccine coverage was found to reach around 55% for babies born from mid-December 2024 onwards, the study results showed.
In a statement published alongside the study, the government said: “More than 4,500 hospitalisations occurred in this cohort, the vast majority in infants whose mothers had not been vaccinated.
“The study found vaccination at least 2 weeks before the birth gave 81.3% protection. A narrow range of statistical uncertainty, 78.9% to 83.4%, means there is high confidence in the protective effect of the vaccine.”
The maternal RSV vaccination is offered to women from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Vaccination is also available for patients aged over 75 years and care home residents.
In March 2026, the results of an analysis of the pilot programme, which involved community pharmacies in the east of England, found that pharmacies had administered more than one in ten (12%) of all RSV vaccines.
Cavanagh commented: “We now know the positive impact of the RSV vaccination programme has been profound and far reaching. Any carer for an older relative or newborn baby will know how serious these infections can be.
“In the east of England, we are proud to have been the first area to offer this life-saving vaccination in community pharmacies, as well as via GP, community clinics and maternity teams.
“We are thrilled to see this real-time evidence of impact, which is saving lives and reducing hospital admissions.”
The findings of a study conducted by the UKHSA, published in June 2025, found the RSV vaccine to be around 82% effective in preventing hospital admissions in patients aged 75–79 years with RSV infection.
Caroline Temmink, director of vaccinations at NHS England, said: “It’s great to see that as well as protecting older adults, RSV vaccination is highly effective at protecting newborns, including those born prematurely.
“We are committed to ensuring ease of access to everyone eligible, and I would encourage pregnant women to get their RSV vaccine through their GP practice, maternity services or one of the range of pharmacies that provide it.”
