Adults aged between 65 and 74 years in certain clinical at-risk groups will be offered the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine from September 1, 2026, as part of an expansion of the NHS vaccination programme.
NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed the move, which follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The vaccine has been routinely available to older adults as they turn 75 since September 2024, and was later extended to all adults aged 80 and over, and all care home residents in April 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
From September 1, 2026, adults aged 65 to 74 in the following clinical risk groups become eligible for the RSV vaccine:
- Chronic respiratory disease, including poorly controlled asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
- Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment.
The vaccine used will continue to be Abrysvo (Pfizer pre-F vaccine) on a one-dose schedule. Adults who receive the vaccine because they are aged 65 to 74 and in a clinical risk group should not be invited for a further dose when they turn 75.
Implementation Details
In a letter dated July 1, Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination at NHS England, and Dr Mary Ramsay CBE, director of public health programmes at UKHSA, confirmed that GP providers are expected to deliver a 100% offer to eligible groups, with call and recall at the earliest opportunity.
RSV vaccines can be administered at any time, and offers should continue throughout the year. RSV vaccination should not be routinely scheduled with influenza vaccination but can be co-administered with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Where community pharmacies have been commissioned to support the older adults RSV programme, an updated enhanced service specification will be issued ahead of September 1, and commissioned pharmacies will be invited to enter a contract variation.
