AROUND 3 million adults aged 80 and over, as well as care home residents, are now eligible for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine on the NHS following an expansion of the vaccination programme announced on 2nd April 2026.
The expansion could prevent thousands of hospital admissions per year, the NHS reported.
RSV, a common virus that infects the lungs, causes serious infections including bronchitis, pneumonia, and other long-term conditions. It can be severe in older adults, causing difficulty breathing and possibly hospitalisation.
The virus causes approximately 9,000 hospitalisations in people over 75 in the UK annually, the NHS reported this month.
Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist RSV Lead, UK Health Security Agency, UK, said: “RSV lung infection is less well known that COVID or flu but for older adults it can be particularly dangerous and puts thousands in hospital each year with a risk to life.
“New evidence from the UK public health agencies shows the vaccine cuts your risk of being hospitalised by around 75% – so it’s great news that the vaccine is now available to everyone aged 75 or over, including all those aged over 80.”
Advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
The rollout follows the government’s 2nd February 2026 acceptance of RSV vaccine eligibility advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), published on 16th July 2025.
Prior to the expansion, the RSV vaccine was only offered to adults turning 75 and those aged 75–79-years-old. Women are also eligible from 28 weeks of pregnancy, to protect neonates from serious lung infection.
Stephen Kinnock, Health Minister, UK, said: “By expanding this life-saving vaccination programme to also include adults aged 80 or over, and residents in care homes for older adults, we are taking another important step to protect those most at risk.
“I am pleased to accept the advice from the JCVI, which has carefully reviewed the evidence showing the clear benefits of extending this programme.”
Featured image: manassanant on Adobe Stock
