The NHS has expanded its respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, vaccination programme in England, making hundreds of thousands more older people eligible for a free jab aimed at reducing the risk of serious lung infection and hospital admission.
In the South East alone, an estimated 530,000 adults aged 80 and over, along with all residents in care homes for older adults, can now receive the vaccine after the national expansion took effect on 1 April 2026. NHS England said the broader rollout will make around three million more people eligible across England.
Why the expansion matters
RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs. While many cases are mild, the infection can be severe in older adults and may lead to pneumonia, bronchitis and flare-ups of existing lung disease and other long-term conditions. The NHS said this can make breathing difficult and, in some cases, require hospital treatment.
The programme previously offered the vaccine to adults turning 75 and those aged 75 to 79 when it launched in September 2024. Those groups remain eligible if they have not yet been vaccinated. Pregnant women are also offered the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks of pregnancy to help protect their babies from serious lung infections.
Evidence and uptake in England
NHS South East Director of Commissioning Caroline Reid said the expansion means many more people can now get protected against an illness that can make older people seriously unwell. UKHSA South East health protection consultant and respiratory lead Dr Simon Ferris said new evidence from UK public health agencies shows the vaccine cuts the risk of hospitalisation by around 75%.
The NHS said the RSV vaccine is free and can be booked via GP practices, while care home residents can speak to staff about getting vaccinated. Between 1 September 2024 and 22 March 2026, more than 471,000 eligible people took up the vaccine in the South East, making the region’s uptake the second-highest in England.
Officials also said RSV is estimated to cause around 9,000 hospitalisations each year among people aged over 75 in the UK, underlining why the wider rollout has been positioned as a preventative step for older adults and other eligible groups.
With the expansion now in place, the NHS is encouraging those eligible to take up the offer as early as possible, particularly where older relatives or loved ones may be at increased risk heading into the spring and summer months. More details are available through the NHS information page on RSV and vaccination guidance.
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