Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination: Older Adults

Monday 2nd February 2026 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Ashley Dalton)]

I am today announcing that the year-round vaccination programme to protect older adults against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will be extended from 1 April 2026 to also include those aged 80 years and older, and all residents in care homes for older adults, supporting the 10-year health plan ambition to shift from sickness to prevention.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause severe illness, especially for young infants and older adults who are at greater risk. That is why, in September 2024, we introduced new RSV vaccination programmes in England for adults who were aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 September 2024 and those subsequently turning 75, and for pregnant women from 28 weeks gestation to protect their baby during the first months of life. The decision to offer NHS vaccinations to protect these groups against RSV was based on the latest independent expert advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) at that time. When advising the introduction of these programmes, the JCVI noted that an extension would be considered when there was more certainty about the real-world impact of the programme in 75 to 79-year-olds and the level of protection offered by vaccination in those aged 80 and over.

The JCVI has continued to review the latest evidence and advised in June 2025 that all older adults aged over 75 years should be eligible for an RSV vaccination on the NHS, as well as all residents in a care home for older adults, regardless of their age. The Committee also advised that RSV vaccines could be administered concurrently with covid-19 vaccines.

His Majesty’s Government have accepted the JCVI’s advice, and the UK Health Security Agency are working with NHS England to ensure that newly eligible individuals will be offered an RSV vaccination from 1 April 2026. This means that anyone who is eligible for both the RSV programme and the spring 2026 covid-19 campaign will be able to get both vaccines at the same appointment, which will improve convenience and help maximise uptake.

The RSV vaccination programme has already had a positive impact, leading to a 33% reduction in RSV-related hospital admissions in 75 to 79-year-olds in winter 2024/25, only months after being introduced, while uptake was still rising. A recent publication in The Lancet Infectious Diseases on a UKHSA and NHS collaboration has shown that the vaccine is over 80% effective in preventing admissions due to RSV chest infections.

I am delighted to say that nearly 2 million RSV vaccinations have now been given to older adults who are currently eligible for the programme. This extension will build on that success, by providing protection for even more people at most risk of RSV, which will save more lives and further reduce RSV-related hospital admissions during the winter months.

[HCWS1294]