NHS expands RSV vaccine programme to at-risk adults aged 65 to 74
Health · 3 July 2026
Written by AI from multiple news reports
The NHS will offer RSV vaccines to more people from 1 September 2026, extending the programme to adults aged 65 to 74 who have certain health conditions. NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency announced the change on 1 July 2026.
RSV is a respiratory virus that can cause serious illness in older people, including pneumonia. Until now, free vaccination had been available mainly to those aged 75 and over. The programme first launched in September 2024, targeting adults turning 75, before expanding in April 2026 to cover all adults aged 80 and over and residents of care homes for older people.
Medical experts identified that many adults under 75 with long-term conditions face a higher risk of severe illness from RSV, which led to the decision to widen eligibility.