RSV Vaccine Eligibility UK 2026: New Ages 65 to 74

The UK RSV vaccine programme has entered its third year with a confirmed autumn 2026 expansion: from 1 September 2026, NHS England is widening eligibility beyond the existing over-75 and over-80 cohorts to include adults aged 65 to 74 with chronic respiratory disease or immunosuppression. Anyone already eligible, meaning everyone aged 75 and over, all care home residents for older adults, and pregnant women from 28 weeks, does not need to wait for September and can book now. This article sets out exactly what has changed, who should act immediately, and how to arrange a jab through a GP practice or pharmacy.

What changed in RSV vaccine eligibility for autumn 2026

NHS England confirmed on 1 July 2026 that the RSV vaccine eligibility UK programme is being widened from September to include adults aged 65-74 with chronic respiratory disease and those with immunosuppression from disease or treatment, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). This builds on the expansion announced by NHS England on 2 April 2026, which brought in all adults aged 80 and over and residents in care homes for older adults, adding an estimated three million more people to the programme.

The newly eligible 65-74 group includes people with poorly controlled asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, blood cancer, or those undergoing chemotherapy, according to NHS England's July 2026 announcement. The core over-75 cohort, in place since September 2024, is unaffected by the September changes and remains fully eligible now, alongside the over-80s and care home residents added in April.

Caroline Temmink, NHS England's Vaccination Director, said: "RSV can make people seriously ill, which is why it's so important for those who are particularly vulnerable to be protected." Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson added: "By expanding the vaccination programme, we're making sure more people who are at higher risk are protected before they become seriously ill."

Who should book an RSV vaccine now

Anyone aged 75 or over, all residents of older adult care homes, and pregnant women from 28 weeks should book an RSV vaccine over 75 appointment now rather than waiting for autumn. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) causes an estimated 9,000 hospitalisations a year among people over 75 in the UK, according to NHS England's April 2026 announcement, and the single-dose vaccine cuts the risk of RSV-related hospitalisation by around 75%.

Dr Conall Watson, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said the vaccine "gives excellent protection against severe lung infection." Real-world UKHSA data published in late 2025 found a 30% reduction in RSV hospitalisation among 75-79 year-olds in England between November 2024 and January 2025, following the vaccine's introduction, with Scotland's equivalent programme reporting a 62.1% reduction in the same age group over a comparable period. Despite this, UKHSA's coverage report to 31 January 2026 shows overall uptake across all eligible older adults sits at just 61.9%, with the catch-up cohort (those already aged 75-79 when the programme launched) at 67.1%. That leaves roughly two in five eligible older people still unprotected heading into fresh eligibility changes.

How to arrange a GP RSV vaccine appointment

Eligible adults can book via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by calling 119 free of charge for those who cannot get online, according to NHS England guidance. GP practices remain the main access point, and an increasing number of high street pharmacies across England are now offering the RSV jab, particularly from 1 September when the expanded cohort becomes eligible. Care home residents should not need to book separately, as staff are expected to arrange vaccination on-site.

Those newly eligible under the 65-74 clinical risk group expansion should contact their GP practice directly, since automatic invitations may lag behind the confirmed eligibility date. It is worth checking with a practice in late August if no letter has arrived, rather than assuming exclusion. Family members and carers can also raise eligibility on behalf of an older or clinically vulnerable relative who may not otherwise engage with NHS booking systems.

What to expect from the autumn vaccination programme

The RSV jab is a single dose intended to provide protection for several years, unlike flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which require annual or seasonal boosters. This matters for scheduling: someone eligible for RSV, flu and a COVID-19 booster in the same autumn window does not need three separate long-term commitments, only one RSV dose ever (under current guidance), alongside yearly flu and COVID-19 protection where eligible. NHS England's autumn vaccination programme allows RSV, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to be co-administered in many cases, reducing the number of separate appointments an older or clinically vulnerable person needs to make.

Side effects reported for the RSV vaccine are generally mild, consistent with other adult vaccines, typically soreness at the injection site or short-lived fatigue. NHS guidance directs anyone with specific health concerns to discuss them with their GP or pharmacist before booking.

Why this expansion is happening now

The September 2026 widening did not emerge in isolation. It follows JCVI advice published on gov.uk on 18 March 2026 recommending vaccination for adults at higher clinical risk of severe RSV disease, and it builds directly on uptake and hospitalisation data gathered since the programme's 2024 launch. NHS England reported that more than 519,571 people aged 80 and over received the vaccine in the three months to July 2026 alone, evidence that demand exists once eligibility is confirmed and communicated clearly.

The pattern across 2026, April's expansion to over-80s and care homes, followed by July's confirmation of the 65-74 clinical risk group from September, suggests NHS England is moving toward a phased widening of the RSV programme rather than a single one-off launch. Stephen Kinnock, the Health Minister who confirmed the April eligibility change, framed it as a continuation of a policy his department introduced, indicating political commitment to further expansion is likely rather than a one-off intervention.

The social impact: who is really affected

RSV hospitalisation falls hardest on people already managing multiple health conditions and on households with the least capacity to absorb a sudden hospital admission. A grandparent hospitalised with RSV-related pneumonia can mean weeks of lost independence, an adult child taking unpaid leave to provide care, and, in low-income households, real financial strain from lost earnings during a working-age relative's caregiving period. Care home residents, among the most vulnerable to severe RSV outcomes, rely entirely on staff and family members to ensure vaccination happens, which is why NHS England has prioritised on-site care home vaccination rather than requiring residents to travel.

The 61.9% overall uptake figure from UKHSA also points to an access gap: people who are housebound, digitally excluded, or without family support to help navigate NHS booking systems are statistically less likely to be vaccinated, even when eligible. Community pharmacies extending RSV provision, and the option to book by calling 119, are direct responses to that gap, but the responsibility often still falls on family members or carers to prompt an eligible relative to act.

What to do now

• If you are 75 or over, live in a care home for older adults, or are pregnant and 28 weeks or more, book your RSV vaccine now via the NHS App, NHS website, 119, or your GP practice; do not wait for September.
• If you are aged 65-74 with a chronic respiratory condition or immunosuppression, contact your GP practice in late August to confirm your eligibility date and secure an appointment for 1 September onwards.
• Ask your GP practice or pharmacy whether your RSV vaccine can be co-administered with your flu or COVID-19 booster this autumn to reduce the number of separate appointments.
• If you care for an older or clinically vulnerable relative, check directly with their GP practice rather than assuming an invitation letter will arrive automatically.
• Read further UK health articles on NHS autumn vaccination scheduling, and see Baba International for wider coverage of UK health and finance policy affecting older adults.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the RSV vaccine in the UK in autumn 2026?

All adults aged 75 and over, all care home residents for older adults, and pregnant women from 28 weeks are currently eligible. From 1 September 2026, eligibility expands to adults aged 65-74 with chronic respiratory disease or immunosuppression, following NHS England's July 2026 confirmation.

Do I need a new RSV vaccine every year like the flu jab?

No. The RSV vaccine is currently a single dose intended to protect for several years, unlike flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which are offered on a seasonal or annual basis under NHS guidance.

How effective is the RSV vaccine for older adults?

NHS England states the vaccine reduces the risk of RSV-related hospitalisation by around 75%. UKHSA real-world data found a 30% reduction in hospitalisations among 75-79 year-olds in England shortly after rollout, with Scotland reporting a 62.1% reduction in the same age group.

Where can I book my RSV vaccine appointment?

Eligible adults can book through the NHS App, the NHS website, by calling 119 free of charge, through their GP practice, or at participating high street pharmacies. Care home residents are typically vaccinated on-site by care home or visiting staff.