The government has accepted advice on eligibility from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme.
On 16 July 2025 JCVI published advice on extending the RSV vaccination programme for older adults. The government has now decided, in line with JCVI advice, that the RSV vaccine should be offered to additional groups in the population most vulnerable to serious outcomes from RSV infection and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination.
Vaccination will therefore be offered in England from 1 April 2026 to:
- adults aged 80 years and over
- all residents in care homes for older adults.
This is in addition to the existing programme, which offers RSV vaccination to:
- adults turning 75 years
- adults aged 75 to 79 years when the programme began
- pregnant women (to protect their newborn babies).
Those who are eligible for both RSV and COVID-19 vaccinations will be able to get both vaccines at the same appointment once the spring 2026 COVID-19 campaign begins on 13 April 2026, in line with JCVI guidance. Individuals eligible for both programmes include people who have not already had an RSV vaccine and are either: aged 75 or over; or a resident in a care home for older adults.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “RSV lung infection is less well known than COVID or flu but for older adults it puts thousands in hospital each year with a risk to life. This extension of the RSV vaccination programme to everyone over 80 or living in a care home for older adults means many more will soon be able to get protected. This follows advice from JCVI based on new evidence showing the clear benefit of vaccination for these groups.”