Millions of older people can now get protection against a virus
which causes serious lung infections like bronchitis and
pneumonia – preventing potentially thousands of hospital
admissions a year.
All adults aged 80 and over, and people living in a care home for
older adults, are now eligible for the NHS respiratory syncytial
virus (RSV) vaccine, following the expansion of the vaccination
programme to around 3 million more people.
RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs. While symptoms are
mild for many people, the virus can be severe in older adults,
causing pneumonia, bronchitis and flare-ups of existing lung
disease and other long-term conditions. This can make it
difficult to breathe and leave some older people requiring
hospital treatment.
RSV causes around 9,000 hospitalisations in those aged over 75 in
the UK each year, but a single dose of the vaccine provides
protection for several years.
The vaccine can be booked via a GP practice, by speaking to staff
in care homes and some community pharmacies in parts of England
are also offering the RSV vaccine.
Before Wednesday (1 April 2026), the vaccine was only offered to
adults turning 75 as well as those aged 75 to 79 years when the
programme began in September 2024. Women are also offered the
vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect their babies from
serious lung infections. These groups remain eligible for the
vaccine if they have not had it.
Michelle Kane, NHS Director of Vaccination and Screening
Delivery, said: “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”.
Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist RSV Lead at the
UK Health Security Agency, said: “RSV lung
infection is less well known than 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 and over, including all those aged over 80. And we also
know that the RSV vaccine for pregnant women is providing
excellent protection to newborn babies. If you're eligible, be
sure to take up the offer and get the best protection possible
against a nasty case of RSV pneumonia”.
