More older and clinically vulnerable adults can now get a single RSV jab on the NHS. It lowers winter hospital risk, carries a rare risk, and can be planned alongside flu and COVID shots.
An important NHS change means more people can now receive a single RSV vaccine to cut the risk of severe lung illness and hospital admission. The programme uses Abrysvo, a non‑live RSV vaccine trialled in more than 17,000 adults aged 60 and over, and early use shows meaningful protection. Uptake has been uneven so far, so it is worth checking your eligibility and arranging your jab in good time for winter.
Why this matters now
RSV is a common winter virus that can cause serious lower respiratory tract illness in older and medically vulnerable adults. Trials show the vaccine reduces symptomatic lower respiratory illness by around 55 to 65 percent. Early programme analyses have linked vaccination to reductions in RSV hospital admissions, with some estimates in specific analyses as high as about 73 to 88 percent. Fewer admissions mean fewer complications and faster recovery at home.
Who can get a free NHS RSV vaccine
From 1 September 2026, the NHS offers one dose of Abrysvo to:
- Everyone aged 75 and over.
- All adult residents of care homes for older adults.
- People aged 65 to 74 who are immunosuppressed, or who have chronic respiratory disease, excluding well controlled asthma.
If you fall into one of these groups, the vaccine is free on the NHS.
What protection to expect
A single dose is currently recommended. Routine repeat doses are not advised because protection is expected to last for multiple years and evidence to support re‑dosing is not yet sufficient. Current data indicate protection for at least around 24 months, although longer term durability is still being studied.
Safety and side effects, in context
Abrysvo is a non‑live vaccine. The most common side effect is mild discomfort at the injection site. Regulators have identified a small increased risk of Guillain–Barré syndrome after vaccination in older adults, estimated at roughly 10 to 25 cases per million doses in the six weeks after the jab. For the eligible groups, the benefits of preventing serious RSV illness are judged to outweigh this rare risk. If you feel unwell after vaccination or have symptoms that worry you, contact a healthcare professional.
Planning your jabs with flu and COVID
You can receive the RSV vaccine at the same visit as a COVID vaccine, and with many other non‑live vaccines. Routine same‑day administration with the seasonal flu vaccine is not advised if it can be avoided, because it may reduce immune responses. If you are offered both at once, ask your clinician what timing makes most sense for you. Aim to complete vaccination before the main winter RSV season where possible.
How to get it
Eligible people should be contacted by their GP surgery or through care home arrangements, but invitations are not always timely. Overall uptake has been about 61.9 percent so far, with lower coverage in some regions and communities. If you are eligible and have not heard, contact your GP practice to book. If you or a family member are moving into a care home, ask for RSV vaccination to be included in admission checks.
A note on what may change
Guidance on repeat doses may evolve as more evidence on the duration of protection emerges. Real world effectiveness for people with severe immunosuppression is being studied. Your clinician can advise as recommendations are updated.
Find out more
- Vaccination in adults at higher risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease: JCVI advice, 18 March 2026 - GOV.UK — JCVI advice setting out the policy and evidence behind who should be offered RSV vaccination in older adults — the source for the eligibility groups and programme rationale.
- Abrysvo▼ (Pfizer RSV vaccine) and Arexvy▼ (GSK RSV vaccine): be alert to a small risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome following vaccination in older adults - GOV.UK — MHRA drug‑safety update on a small increased risk of Guillain–Barré syndrome after RSV vaccination and the regulator’s assessment that benefits outweigh this rare risk.
- RSV vaccination of older adults: information for healthcare ... - GOV.UK — GOV.UK technical guidance on use of Abrysvo (composition, storage, administration and practical points) useful for clinicians and readers who want the official implementation details.
- RSV vaccine | NHS inform — NHS Inform patient‑facing guidance on the RSV vaccine (who is offered it, how you’ll be contacted and what to do if you haven’t heard) — practical steps for arranging your jab in Scotland.
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