Thousands more people at risk from a virus which causes
pneumonia and other serious lung infections will be able to get
vital protection on the NHS this winter.
From September, all adults aged 65-74 who are living with a
chronic respiratory condition or who have a suppressed immune
system will be offered the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
vaccine, as the NHS expands its life-saving programme to protect
those who are most vulnerable.
This includes thousands of people living
with chronic asthma, bronchitis or cystic fibrosis or
who have weakened immune systems caused by other conditions (such
as diabetes or blood cancer) or by medical treatments such as
chemotherapy.
Eligible people will be able to receive their jab from their
local GP practice or, in some parts of the country, at their
local high street pharmacy from 1st September, to
protect themselves from serious illness and hospitalisation.
The roll-out follows the expansion of eligibility earlier this
year to all older adults over the age of 80, with new figures
published today by NHS England showing over half a million people
aged 80 years and over have been given the jab in the past three
months alone (519,571).
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.
The latest expansion comes after the government accepted advice
from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)
to expand eligibility for the RSV vaccination programme in
England.
The newly eligible groups were identified by JCVI as having a
higher risk of severe outcomes from RSV infection, including
hospitalisation, particularly during winter when cases peak. JCVI
is continuing to review data on RSV vaccination in other adults
with underlying health conditions.
Millions of people aged 75 years and over and all residents in
care homes for older adults are already able to get the RSV
vaccine ahead of this winter and since 2024, the NHS has also
offered the RSV vaccine to all pregnant women, helping to protect
300,000 mothers and babies in its first year alone.
The vaccine works by stimulating the body to produce antibodies
for the RSV virus by giving a small amount of RSV protein in the
jab. This means that when the actual virus enters the body, the
immune system can act much quicker to remove the
threat.
Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination at NHS England,
said: RSV can make people seriously ill, which is why
it's so important for those who are particularly vulnerable to
be protected. Expanding the vaccine to this group offers
them the best possible protection and can help keep people out of
hospital.
If you are aged 75 or over, or live in a care home for older
adults and are yet to get vaccinated, now is the time to come
forward. Although RSV spreads most in winter, this virus poses a
risk all year round, so if you've been offered the jab, please
come forward to your GP or local pharmacy.
Public Health Minister said: "Respiratory
Syncytial Virus can cause serious illness for older adults and
those with underlying health conditions.
By expanding the vaccination programme, we're making sure more
people who are at higher risk are protected before they become
seriously ill.
This will save lives, prevent hundreds of avoidable hospital
admissions and reduce pressure on the NHS during the winter
months.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK
Health Security Agency, said: This is an important
expansion of the RSV immunisation programme. New evidence makes
it clear that these two groups of patients are at the highest
risk of needing hospital admission due to RSV.
The vaccine gives excellent protection against severe lung
infection, and I would encourage anyone eligible to take it up
when offered. It could make a real difference to your health.
