The government has expanded eligibility for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccination programme, accepting new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to protect more of the population most at risk of severe illness.
Ministers have now confirmed they will adopt JCVI’s recommendation, first published on 16 July 2025, to offer the RSV vaccine to additional vulnerable groups from 1st April 2026.
From April 2026, RSV vaccination in England will be offered to:
- All adults aged 80 and over
- All residents in care homes for older adults
These groups face a higher risk of severe RSV infection, including hospitalisation and complications such as pneumonia. The expanded programme aims to reduce serious illness, support the NHS during winter pressures, and improve long‑term vaccination coverage among those most likely to benefit.
The newly expanded programme will sit alongside the existing eligibility criteria, which already offer RSV vaccination to adults turning 75 years old, adults aged 75 to 79 years when the programme began, and pregnant women, to protect their newborn babies through passive immunity.
Pregnant women remain a key group for RSV vaccination, as RSV is a leading cause of severe respiratory illness in infants.
Individuals eligible for both RSV and COVID‑19 vaccines will be able to receive them at the same appointment once the spring 2026 COVID‑19 vaccination campaign begins on 13 April 2026.
This includes people who:
- Have not yet received an RSV vaccine
- Are aged 75 or over, or
- Are residents in older adult care homes
Combining appointments is expected to improve convenience, increase uptake and reduce pressure on GP practices and vaccination centres. RSV can be particularly dangerous for older people, especially those with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems.
Stephen Kinnock, Health Minister, said:
“RSV can cause serious illness in older people, which is why this government introduced new year-round vaccination programmes in September 2024. By expanding this life-saving vaccination programme to also include adults aged 80 and 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 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which has carefully reviewed the evidence showing the clear benefits of extending this programme.
“I would encourage everyone who becomes eligible for the RSV vaccine from April to come forward and get vaccinated as soon as they have been invited to do so by their GP. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and reduce pressure on the NHS during winter months.”
By widening eligibility, ministers aim to strengthen population protection and ensure that the vaccination programme targets those who will benefit most.
Image credit: iStock
