BORLAND study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the benefits of RSV maternal vaccination using a Scottish National Dataset
IRAS ID
364179
Contact name
Louisa Pollock
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Pfizer Inc.
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
EUPAS1000000706 , EU Post Authorization Study register number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of serious respiratory infection in babies. In August 2024, Scotland introduced RSV vaccination in pregnancy. Vaccination in pregnancy protects babies from infection in early life through the transfer of antibodies from mother to baby through the placenta. The RSV vaccine has been shown to work well in trials. We want to see how well it works in the “real-world” in Scotland. We will look at how well the vaccine works in different groups, for example babies born early, or in mothers with health problems affecting the placenta. We will look at whether the timing of vaccination during pregnancy changes how well it works. Finally we will determine if the vaccine has extra benefits beyond the first 6 months of life. For example, babies with RSV infections in early life are known to be at higher risk of further respiratory illnesses. The RSV vaccine might reduce this risk even after maternal antibodies have disappeared, by preventing that first illness.
We will answer these questions using routinely collected NHS data, including vaccination, pregnancy and birth data for all infants born in Scotland from 1/9/24 to 28/2/26. We will link this data to hospital admissions and RSV testing data to see whether RSV vaccination in pregnancy reduces the risk of hospital admissions in babies in the first year of life. The study will help guide national vaccine policy and determine the best way to protect babies from RSV in future, in Scotland and worldwide.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
25/WS/0175
Date of REC Opinion
24 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion