RSV vaccine coverage report in older adults in England: September 2025
Updated 30 October 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rsv-older-adults-vaccination-coverage-in-england/rsv-vaccine-coverage-report-in-older-adults-in-england-september-2025
HPR volume 19, number 10
This report presents monthly vaccine coverage data for the older adult respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunisation programme in England, focusing on the period up to September 2025. The RSV vaccination programme was introduced in September 2024, targeting older adults as part of a national public health initiative. This routine programme is offered to older adults (divided into the routine and catch-up cohort) upon turning the age of 75 years, and who remain eligible until their 80th birthday.
This report includes vaccine coverage estimates for the routine cohort (individuals who turned 75 years since the programme start date in 1 September 2024) and the catch-up cohort (defined as individuals aged 75 to 79 years before 1 September 2024). Coverage data for both cohorts is reported as the cumulative figure measured up to 30 September 2025. This report is the first publication of the routine cohort and overall older adult vaccine coverage.
Main points
Since 30 September 2025:
- vaccine coverage in the catch-up cohort reached 65.7%, increasing by 0.9 percentage points from the August 2025 report (64.8%) (Figure 1) (1)
- RSV vaccine coverage in the routine cohort reached 44.6%
- in all the eligible older adults (routine and catch-up cohort), the overall vaccine coverage reached 61.8%
- in all the eligible older adults’ cohorts, regional vaccine coverage was highest in the South East (66.4%) and lowest in London (47.9%) (Table 2)
- coverage in males was 63.9% and in females was 60.0%
- coverage in the most deprived decile was 48.2% and in the least deprived decile was 70.2% (Table 3)
- coverage varied by ethnic group, with the highest coverage reported among White - British (65.3%) and the lowest among Asian or Asian British - Pakistani (23.2%) (Table 4)
Analysis of RSV vaccine coverage by cohort
RSV vaccine coverage in older adults is described in terms of cohorts. This is where a cohort is defined in reference to the age at the programme start date (September 1, 2024), as described in the Green Book (2). The eligible older adults are defined into 2 cohorts comprising the catch-up cohorts (a birth group cohort of those who were aged 75 to 79 years before the programme start date) and the routine cohort (defined dynamically as those that first became eligible by turning 75 years on or after the programme start date).
Owing to the dynamic nature of the routine cohort, the eligible individual in this cohort will increase progressively through the year as more individuals become eligible. The current cumulative vaccine coverage, dates of birth and eligibility definitions for these cohorts are described in Table 1.
The trends in RSV cumulative coverage by cohort for the catch-up cohorts and routine cohort are shown in Figure 1, while the combined coverage trend among all eligible older adults (catch-up and routine cohort) is shown in Figure 2. To illustrate the rolling eligibility within the routine cohort, Figure 3 presents coverage by month of birth, showing uptake patterns as individuals reach the age of 75 years and become eligible. The oldest people in the routine cohort (those who reached the age of 75 years in September 2024) have had the most time to receive notification and attend their vaccination appointments. As a result, their uptake is higher compared to those who only just reached the age of 75 years in the current reporting month.
Table 1. Cumulative RSV vaccine coverage for older adults in the routine and catch-up cohorts, measured at 30 September 2025
| Cohort group | Birth range of cohort | Age turned in September 2024 | Cumulative RSV coverage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine cohort | 30 September 1950 to 31 August 1950 | Turning 75 years after start date | 44.6 |
| Catch-up cohort 1 | 1 September 1948 to 31 August 1949 | 75 | 64.6 |
| Catch-up cohort 2 | 1 September 1947 to 31 August 1948 | 76 | 65.2 |
| Catch-up cohort 3 | 1 September 1946 to 31 August 1947 | 77 | 66.1 |
| Catch-up cohort 4 | 1 September 1945 to 31 August 1946 | 78 | 66.4 |
| Catch-up cohort 5 | 1 September 1944 to 31 August 1945 | 79 | 66.4 |
| Total catch-up cohort | 61.8 |
Figure 1. Cumulative RSV vaccine coverage for older adults (routine and catch-up cohorts), measured at 30 September 2025
Figure 2. Cumulative RSV vaccine coverage comparing routine and catch-up cohorts, measured at 30 September 2025
Figure 3. RSV Vaccine uptake for adults in the routine cohorts (adult turning 75 years after 1 September 2024) in routine cohort by month of birth measured at 30 September 2025
Table 2. RSV vaccine coverage for older adults (routine and catch-up cohorts), measured at 30 September 2025, by commissioning region
| Commissioning region | RSV coverage (%) |
|---|---|
| London | 47.9 |
| North West | 58.2 |
| Midlands | 61.1 |
| North East and Yorkshire | 64 |
| East of England | 64.2 |
| South West | 66.3 |
| South East | 66.4 |
Table 3. RSV vaccine coverage for older adults (routine and catch-up cohorts), measured at 30 September 2025 by Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019 (IMD2019) deprivation deciles
| Deprivation deciles | RSV coverage (%) |
|---|---|
| 1 (Most deprived) | 48.2 |
| 2 | 51 |
| 3 | 54.3 |
| 4 | 57.8 |
| 5 | 60.8 |
| 6 | 62.9 |
| 7 | 64.5 |
| 8 | 66 |
| 9 | 67.8 |
| 10 (Least deprived) | 70.2 |
Table 4. RSV vaccine coverage for older adults (routine and catch-up cohorts), measured at 30 September 2025 by ethnicity
| Ethnic group | RSV coverage (%) |
|---|---|
| Asian or Asian British - Pakistani | 23.2 |
| Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi | 25.6 |
| Black or Black British - Caribbean | 26.2 |
| Black or Black British - African | 26.9 |
| Black or Black British - Any other Black background | 29.2 |
| Mixed - White and Black Caribbean | 37.2 |
| Mixed - White and Black African | 37.3 |
| Asian or Asian British - Any other Asian background | 41.0 |
| Other ethnic groups - Any other ethnic group | 42.2 |
| Asian or Asian British - Indian | 42.4 |
| Other ethnic groups - Chinese | 45.3 |
| Mixed - White and Asian | 49.6 |
| Ethnicity not stated | 50.6 |
| Mixed - Any other mixed background | 51.0 |
| White - Other | 52.4 |
| White - Irish | 54.4 |
| White - British | 65.3 |
Coverage figures
Cumulative coverage in the catch-up cohorts of the RSV vaccination programme for older adults has been steadily increasing since the programme’s start. Coverage has risen from 22.6% in September 2024 (3) to 65.7% by the end of September 2025. As the older adults remain eligible until their 80th birthday, it is expected that coverage in this cohort will increase progressively as they remain eligible for longer and have more opportunities to be vaccinated.
In the routine cohort, the higher uptake observed among individuals who turned 75 years in September 2024 compared to those turning 75 years in the current reporting month reflects the natural lag between becoming eligible, receiving an invitation, and presenting for vaccination. This time-dependent pattern is expected and consistent with the rolling eligibility of people in this cohort and highlights the importance of allowing sufficient time for individuals to engage with the vaccination programme.
In addition, this report highlights that overall coverage in the eligible older adults varies by nearly 18.5 percentage points between regions, 22 percentage points between the most and least deprived deciles, and approximately 42.1 percentage points between ethnicities.
Data sources and methodology
This is the 12th in the series of older-adult RSV vaccination coverage reports that will be released monthly, providing cumulative vaccination coverage data since the start of the campaign. The reporting period in the current report is from 1 September 2024 to 30 September 2025. Data is collected through the Immunisation Information System (IIS), which holds denominator data and captures vaccination events from GP practices and participating community pharmacies across England, based on data provided by NHS England.
Vaccine uptake is calculated by dividing the number of eligible older adults who have received the RSV vaccine by the total number of individuals eligible for the vaccination. The vaccine uptake is presented by cohort (routine versus catch-up) and for all older adults combined. Where relevant, figures also describe coverage within the routine cohort by month of birth to illustrate uptake as individuals become newly eligible at age 75.
The data was extracted on 13 October 2025 to include vaccinations administered up to midnight of the last day of the reporting month (30 September 2025).
The 5 catch-up cohorts are defined by their birth year and age as of the programme start date. A more detailed breakdown of the different cohorts can be found in Table 1.
This report presents the vaccine uptake in both the routine and catch-up cohorts. The routine cohort are defined as those turning 75 years since the programme’s start date. This cohort is currently comprised of those that are just turning 75 years, and those that are currently aged 76 years. As individuals in this cohorts are gradually becoming eligible as the vaccination programme progresses, some have not yet had sufficient time to be notified and present themselves for vaccination due to the rolling eligibility in this cohort.
Data extraction note:
- population estimates for denominator data and vaccination records were extracted from the Immunisation Information System (IIS) on 13 October 2025 for vaccine events up to 30 September 2025
- the data for the new RSV programme relies on new data flows and is, therefore, provisional while enhanced data validation checks are being conducted; any changes to historic figures will be reflected in the most recent publication
The October 2025 older adult RSV vaccination coverage report is scheduled to be released on 27 November 2025.
Birth cohorts
Table 5. Birth range and RSV vaccine eligibility dates for routine and catch-up cohorts of older adult populations, measured at 30 September 2025
| Cohort group | Birth range of cohort |
|---|---|
| Routine cohort | Adults turning 75 years on or after 1 September 2024 |
| Catch-up cohort 1 | 1 September 1948 to 31 August 1949 |
| Catch-up cohort 2 | 1 September 1947 to 31 August 1948 |
| Catch-up cohort 3 | 1 September 1946 to 31 August 1947 |
| Catch-up cohort 4 | 1 September 1945 to 31 August 1946 |
| Catch-up cohort 5 | 1 September 1944 to 31 August 1945 |
Background information
The RSV vaccination programme for older adults in England began on 1 September 2024 as a single-dose offer. Eligibility is defined at the programme start date (1 September 2024) and comprises 2 groups (a routine cohort and catch-up cohort).
The populations eligible for the programme are divided into 2 groups defined in the Green Book (1) based on their age on or after the programme start date, as follows:
- rolling, year-round eligibility in adults turning 75 years on or after the programme start date (1 September 2024): the routine cohort
- adults already aged 75 to 79 years before the programme start date – comprising 5 catch-up cohorts – are eligible up until their 80th birthday
Those who reach the age of 80 years in the first year of the programme and have not been vaccinated still remain eligible until the present date of the programme.
The primary aim of the older adult RSV programme is to reduce severe RSV disease, hospitalisations and complications among older adults, particularly those aged 75 years and over (4, 5). Programme coverage is reported as cumulative uptake figures based by week using ISO weeks from 1 September 2024 up to the stated data cut-off for each monthly report.
This monthly report includes vaccine coverage data up to 30 September 2025.
Programme delivery
The programme is delivered through NHS providers. Offers are made proactively to newly eligible individuals in the routine cohort on or shortly after their 75th birthday, and through scheduled catch-up activity for those aged 75 to 79 years at the programme start date.
Previous monthly reports for RSV older adults vaccination coverage in England are available.
Related statistics
- RSV maternal vaccination coverage in England
- Surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus: winter 2024 to 2025
- NHS England vaccination statistics
- PHW Wales RSV vaccination surveillance: August 2025 (PDF, 6.5MB)
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) older adult vaccination in Scotland
Further information and contact details
Feedback and contact information
For feedback or any enquiries relating to this document and the RSV vaccination coverage, please contact rsv@ukhsa.gov.uk.
User engagement survey
This vaccine coverage report is in the process of being designated as an Official Statistics release. As part of this process, we are seeking feedback from users to ensure the publication meets your needs.
We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete a short survey and share your views.
Please complete the survey.
Your input will play an important role in shaping the development of this publication. Thank you for your time and support.
References
1. UKHSA (August 2025). RSV vaccine coverage report in older adults for catch-up cohorts in England: July 2025 Health Protection Report volume 19, issue 8
2. UKHSA (September 2024). RSV vaccine: interim report on uptake of the new, older adult vaccination programme in England Health Protection Report volume 18, issue 9
3. UKHSA (2024). Green Book chapter 27a: Respiratory syncytial virus
4. Department of Health and Social Care (June 2024). Introduction of new NHS vaccination programmes against respiratory syncytial virus
5. UKHSA (July 2024). RSV Vaccination of older adults: information for healthcare practitioners