Millions of older people across England can now receive protection against respiratory syncytial virus, following the expansion of the NHS vaccination programme to include adults aged 80 and over and older people living in care homes.
The expansion makes around 3 million additional people eligible for the RSV vaccine, a move expected to prevent thousands of hospital admissions each year and protect vulnerable individuals from serious lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs and airways. While many people experience mild symptoms, RSV can be severe in older adults, particularly those with existing health conditions. Infections can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, breathing difficulties and flare‑ups of long‑term lung disease, often requiring hospital treatment.
In the UK, RSV is responsible for around 9,000 hospitalisations each year among people aged over 75. NHS experts say the expanded vaccination programme will significantly reduce the burden on hospitals while helping older people stay well for longer.
A single dose of the RSV vaccine provides protection for several years, offering long‑term defence against serious illness. The vaccine is now available to all adults aged 80 and over, as well as older people living in care homes for older adults.
These groups join others already eligible for the vaccine, including adults aged 75 to 79, adults turning 75, and pregnant women from 28 weeks gestation, to help protect babies from severe RSV infection after birth.
Anyone in these groups who has not yet received the vaccine remains eligible.
Before 1st April, the RSV vaccination programme focused on adults turning 75 and those aged 75 to 79 when the programme launched in September 2024. The latest expansion marks a major step in extending protection to those at highest risk of severe illness and hospital admission.
By preventing severe respiratory infections among older people, the expanded RSV vaccination programme is expected to:
- Reduce hospital admissions
- Ease winter pressures on NHS services
- Improve health outcomes for vulnerable groups
Michelle Kane, NHS Director of Vaccination and Screening Delivery, commented:
“RSV is not just a winter illness; it can occur all year round and can make older people seriously ill, so it is vital everyone eligible gets vaccinated.
“The vaccine has been proven to drastically reduce the chance of those aged 75 and over from ending up in hospital with an RSV infection, so if you’re seeing loved ones or family members who are eligible for a vaccine over the Easter break, please do remind them to come forward if invited.
“If you are newly eligible or are still yet to come forward, don’t delay and book your free NHS vaccination in with your GP or speak to a member of staff in your care home. It could prevent you developing a severe illness like pneumonia and even save your life.”
The NHS is urging everyone who is eligible to come forward for vaccination, particularly as RSV can circulate widely and cause serious illness in older age. Early uptake is key to maximising protection and helping people keep their independence and quality of life.
With wider eligibility now in place, the RSV vaccination programme represents one of the most significant expansions of adult respiratory protection in recent years.
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