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”.
