What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can cause serious lung infections. While RSV infection can occur at any age, the risk and severity of RSV and its complications are increased in older adults and infants and has a considerable impact on individuals and NHS services during the winter months. The virus is a cause of severe illness and mortality in those aged 75 years and older. It also causes around 9,000 hospital admissions in those aged over 75.
The virus is spread from respiratory secretions following close contact with an infected person via respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. To find out more about the symptoms of RSV click here.
RSV vaccination will offer the best protection to eligible older adults against the virus this coming winter as they reach an age group at highest risk of serious RSV infection.
RSV Vaccination Programme Extension Announced
On 2 February 2026 the government announced that in line with JCVI advice the RSV vaccine should be offered to additional groups in the population most vulnerable to serious outcomes from RSV infection.
Vaccination will therefore be offered in England from 1 April 2026 to:
- Adults aged 80 years and over
- All residents in care home 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 in September 2024
- Pregnant women (to protect their newborn babies)
RSV can cause serious illness in older people and can be life threatening. Evidence has shown the RSV vaccine to provide strong protection for older people and is effective in preventing hospital admission with RSV infection.
The RSV vaccine is a one off vaccination and is available all year round. 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.
The GP surgery will invite all eligible older adults for their vaccination.
Useful resources
- For more information on the RSV vaccination for older adults, click here,
- You can promote the RSV vaccine to eligible older adults at risk of the virus by accessing a poster here.
- You can also share an information leaflet with eligible older adults which can be downloaded here.
- Click here to download the guide to the RSV vaccine for pregnant women.
- RSV vaccine could reduce antibiotic prescribing, click here for more information
- Click here for the Press Release on advice accepted to extend the RSV vaccination programme