From 1 April 2026, the eligibility criteria for the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccination programme will be expanded to allow people aged 80 years and over, and all residents in care homes for older adults, to receive the free RSV vaccine on the NHS.
It is already available and being offered to individuals aged between 75 and 80 years of age which means now anyone over 75 is eligible.
RSV is an infectious disease of the airways and lungs. Symptoms include a cough or a cold, wheezing, shortness of breath, tiredness and fever. There is no specific treatment and most cases clear up within 2 to 3 weeks but it can sometimes be very serious, leading to pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions.
Dr David Crichton, GP and Chief Medical Officer at NHS South Yorkshire said: “Every year thousands of older adults need hospital care for RSV, and some of them will be extremely serious, if not fatal. RSV can be more severe in people with medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or a weakened immune system so I would encourage anyone who is eligible to come forward and book their vaccine as soon as possible.
“You can have the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines that you may be eligible for, such as COVID-19, shingles (if you’re aged 75 to 79) and pneumococcal vaccines. The flu vaccine tends to be given in a separate appointment but you can have them at the same time if a doctor or nurse thinks it's appropriate.
Patients will be contacted by their GP to book their free vaccine but you can also make contact with your GP practice if you are eligible.
A single dose of the RSV vaccine will provide protection for a few years.
The RSV vaccine is also available for pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect their baby from serious lung infection.
These eligible groups have been determined based on advice from the national expert advisory body - Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).