The NHS has launched its spring and summer vaccination programmes, widening access to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) jab for older adults and continuing its COVID-19 rollout for those at highest risk. From 1 April 2026, the RSV vaccine is available to all adults aged 80 and over, as well as residents in care homes for older adults, while people aged 75 to 79 remain eligible if they have not yet received the vaccination.
Who is eligible this spring
The programme also includes pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy, with the aim of protecting babies from serious lung infection after birth. A single dose is said to provide protection for a few years, and eligible people can book through their GP practice or participating pharmacies in some parts of England, including Lancashire. The NHS COVID-19 spring and summer campaign begins later in April, on 13 April 2026, and runs until 31 June 2026.
Health leaders say the seasonal campaigns remain important because both viruses continue to circulate. In comments shared locally, Dr Andy Knox, medical director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said the spring and summer vaccines are among the most effective ways to combat RSV and COVID-19. He also noted that RSV causes around 9,000 hospitalisations among people over 75 in the UK each year, and that recent studies have found the vaccine to be around 87 per cent effective against the most severe forms of illness requiring oxygen in hospital.
Why care homes and older adults remain a focus
For care providers, the emphasis on older adults is part of a wider effort to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and help protect people who are most vulnerable to respiratory illness. RSV can cause bronchitis and pneumonia and is particularly dangerous for older adults, where breathing difficulties can quickly lead to hospital care. The continuing COVID-19 offer for over-75s, care home residents and immunosuppressed people aged six months and over reflects the NHS’s focus on those most likely to experience severe outcomes.
People who believe they are eligible do not need to wait to be contacted before arranging vaccination. The NHS advises them to contact their GP practice or use the NHS booking service to make an appointment. For care homes, the updated eligibility may help staff prioritise residents who are at greatest risk as the spring season progresses.
The latest rollout comes as the NHS continues to adapt its prevention strategy to seasonal pressure and changing patterns of infection. With RSV and COVID-19 both still posing a threat to older adults and people with underlying health risks, the new campaign is intended to offer timely protection before demand on health and care services rises further.
Source: University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
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