The NHS has confirmed that from 1st September, adults aged between 65 and 74 who have chronic respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems will become eligible for the free vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Previously, the vaccine was only available to those aged 75 and above, expectant mothers at 28 weeks' gestation or beyond, and care home residents for older people.
RSV: More Than a Common Cold
RSV is so widespread that virtually everyone contracts it multiple times throughout their lifetime, often dismissing it as a severe cold. However, in infants and older people, the virus can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis—infections that inflame the lungs and airways and can be life-threatening, frequently necessitating hospital care. For those already managing lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), contracting RSV can significantly exacerbate symptoms, transforming a controllable condition into a medical crisis.
Health officials say the vaccine reduces the risk of these serious complications, providing essential protection to those whose bodies are least equipped to combat the virus.
How to Get the Jab
Under the expanded criteria, at-risk 65 to 74-year-olds can receive the vaccine by contacting their GP practice from September. Practices may also contact patients directly via letter, text, telephone, or email. People are encouraged not to wait for an invitation and to arrange an appointment as soon as they become eligible.
For those aged over 75 and expectant mothers, the criteria remain unchanged. Pregnant women should be offered the jab at around their 28-week antenatal appointment to provide their baby with robust protection during the first six months of life, though it can still be given up until delivery if missed earlier. Care home residents can organise vaccination through staff members or their GP practice.
In a welcome development for accessibility, the jab is also being offered at selected pharmacies across parts of Essex, Suffolk, Lancashire, Merseyside, Leicestershire, the West Midlands, and London, meaning many people will not need to wait for a GP appointment.
One Jab, Years of Protection
Unlike the annual flu and Covid jabs, the RSV vaccine is provided throughout the year rather than during a seasonal campaign. Older adults need just a single dose, expected to protect them for several years, while pregnant women are recommended to receive the vaccine again with each pregnancy. The NHS has confirmed the jab can usually be administered alongside other vaccines, including Covid, shingles, and pneumococcal vaccines, although it is not ordinarily given with the flu jab in older adults unless a clinician deems it necessary.
Safety Record
The vaccine, known as Abrysvo, has been approved by the UK's medicines regulator, the MHRA, having met its safety and efficacy standards. The most frequently reported side effects are mild, including a sore arm, headache, or body aches. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and in exceptionally rare instances, older adults have developed Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition affecting the nerves that can cause tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness. Health authorities maintain that the benefits of vaccination considerably outweigh the risks of a serious RSV infection.
Those who are unwell with a high temperature are advised to postpone their appointment until they have fully recovered. Anyone who has previously experienced a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or any of its ingredients should not receive it.
