RSV vaccine eligibility to be extended to over-80s and care home residents

Adults aged 80 and over, as well as all residents in care homes for older adults, will become eligible for the NHS respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine from 1 April 2026, NHS England (NHSE) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have announced.

The change follows updated advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and expands the existing programme, which has offered routine vaccination to people turning 75 since September 2024.

Related Article: Lyme disease: what nurses need to know

In a letter to those delivering the programme, Caroline Temmink, NHSE director of vaccination, and Dr Mary Ramsay, UKHSA director of public health programmes, said the expansion is intended to protect those at increased risk of RSV, and care home residents will be eligible regardless of age.

The vaccine used will continue to be Abrysvo, delivered as a single dose. The timing of the expansion is designed to allow co-administration with the spring 2026 Covid-19 vaccine campaign.

The JCVI has said the two vaccines can be safely administered together, although guidance states that RSV vaccination is not seasonal and should be offered year-round.

General practice providers will be expected to offer the vaccine to 100% of the eligible population, and arrangements should also be made to vaccinate new care home residents as they become eligible throughout the year, according to the guidance.

Related Article: Specialist children’s nursing workforce ‘under intense pressure’

Practices are advised to rotate stock to minimise waste and hold no more than two to four weeks’ worth of vaccine supply at any time.

Coverage data will be collected quarterly from participating GP practices via ImmForm, and an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) template will be made available.

Related Article: Over one million switched to combined asthma inhalers since NICE update

Clinical guidance is available in the RSV chapter of the Green Book, and updated training materials will be published on the RSV vaccination programme webpage.

Further information and implementation details are expected as part of the forthcoming 2026/27 GP contract update.