The NHS has expanded access to the RSV vaccine in England, making millions more older adults eligible as health officials aim to reduce seasonal pressure on hospitals caused by respiratory infections.
From April 2026, all adults aged 80 and over, as well as residents in care homes for older people, can receive the RSV vaccine.
The policy shift significantly broadens the programme, which previously targeted individuals aged 75 to 79 and those turning 75 since its launch in 2024.
Michelle Kane, NHS Director of Vaccination and Screening Delivery, urges those eligible to get the vaccine as soon as possible: “Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is not just a winter illness; it can occur all year round and can make older people seriously ill, so it is vital everyone eligible gets vaccinated.
“The vaccine has been proven…