Thousands More Vulnerable Adults to Be Offered RSV Vaccine to Prevent Serious Lung Infection
Thousands more people including those in residential care 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 disease and those with immunosuppression due to disease or treatment 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 poorly controlled asthma, chronic bronchitis or cystic fibrosis or who have weakened immune systems caused by other conditions (such as 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.
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.
