Key Summary
- Since September 2024, RSV vaccination has been available to older adults as they turn 75 years of age
- The eligibility criteria is being widened due to increased risk from RSV, which affects the lower respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia
- JCVI has advised that RSV vaccines can be concurrently administered with COVID-19 vaccines
The government has announced that the eligibility for the NHS respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme has been extended to include adults aged 80 years and over, with no upper age limit, and all residents in care homes for older adults.
This is being done on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and the new eligibility criteria will come into force from 1 April.
The vaccine to be offered will continue to be Abrysvo on a one-dose schedule.
Since September 2024, RSV vaccination has been available to older adults as they turn 75 years of age.
Adults who were aged 75 years and over on 1 September 2024 and had not yet reached 80 years of age were also offered the jab.
The eligibility criteria are being widened due to their increased risk from RSV, which affects the lower respiratory tract and peaks during the winter months.
For individuals living with chronic medical conditions, RSV can exacerbate illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure.
JCVI has advised that RSV vaccines can be concurrently administered with COVID-19 vaccines, which is encouraged for care homes to help achieve high uptake and reduce costs.
GP providers are expected to deliver a 100 percent offer to eligible groups.
People eligible for both programmes include those who have not had an RSV vaccine and are aged 75 or over, or care home residents.
