The decision follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which recommended expanding the programme to include groups most vulnerable to severe RSV infection and hospitalisation.
Under the expanded rollout, RSV vaccination will be offered in England from April 2026 to:
- adults aged 80 years and over
- all residents in care homes for older adults
The move builds on the existing RSV vaccination programme, which currently covers:
- adults turning 75 years
- adults aged 75 to 79 years when the programme was introduced
- pregnant women, to protect newborn babies
NHSE said individuals eligible for both the RSV and COVID-19 vaccines will be able to receive both jabs during the same appointment once the spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination campaign begins on 13 April 2026, in line with JCVI guidance.
Those eligible for both vaccinations include people who have not previously received an RSV vaccine and who are either:
- aged 75 or over
- residents in a care home for older adults
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said the expansion would help protect those most at risk while easing pressure on the health service.
“RSV can cause serious illness in older people, which is why this government introduced new year-round vaccination programmes in September 2024,” Kinnock said.
“By expanding this life-saving vaccination programme to include adults aged 80 and over and residents in care homes, we are taking another important step to protect those most at risk.”
He urged newly eligible individuals to take up the vaccine when invited by their GP, describing vaccination as the best way to reduce winter pressures on the NHS.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said RSV remains a significant but under-recognised threat to older adults.
“RSV lung infection is less well known than COVID or flu, but for older adults it puts thousands in hospital each year and can be life-threatening,” he said.
He added that evidence reviewed by the JCVI showed clear benefits from extending vaccination to people aged over 80 and care home residents.
Health officials said early analysis indicates that people aged 75 to 79 who have already received the vaccine are significantly less likely to be hospitalised, while vaccination during pregnancy continues to offer strong protection for newborn babies.
