RSV vaccination programme expanded to thousands more vulnerable people

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The UK is expanding its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination program to include thousands more vulnerable adults aged 65-74 with chronic respiratory conditions or suppressed immunity. This follows earlier expansions including adults over 80 and pregnant women, with studies showing significant protection for newborns when vaccinating pregnant women.

Thousands more vulnerable patients in England will be offered the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine this winter.From September, all adults aged 65-74 in England who have a chronic respiratory condition or who have a suppressed immune system will be offered the vaccine. The rollout follows the expansion of eligibility earlier this year to around three million adults aged 80 and over and those living in a care home.1The NHS has also offered the RSV vaccine to all pregnant women since 2024.A study by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) study found that giving the vaccine to pregnant women provided 81.3% protection against infection to newborn infants, including those born prematurely.2RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs. Although symptoms are mild in many people, the virus can be severe in older adults, causing pneumonia, bronchitis, and flare-ups of existing lung disease and other long term conditions.The latest vaccine expansion...