NHS offers RSV vaccine for the first time to pregnant women and older adults

The NHS in England began offering vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for the first time from 1 September 2024, to pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy and to adults aged 75 to 79¹. NHS England described RSV as "a common cause of coughs and colds which can be dangerous to older people and young children"³. The Welsh Government said pregnant women in Wales were also being offered the vaccine for the first time, and that it was being offered to people as they turn 75 as part of a year-round programme which launched earlier in September in Wales⁴.

NHS England set out the offer in August: the jab would be available to those aged 75 to 79 and offered to pregnant women from 28 weeks "to protect their child"⁵. Pregnant women have been able to get their jab from 1 September³. On eligibility, NHS England said pregnant women are encouraged to book their vaccine via their maternity service or GP practice, and older adults should wait to be invited by the NHS¹. In its later winter guidance, NHS England said those who turned 75 on or after 1 September 2024, and those already aged 75 to 79, would also be able to get the RSV vaccine, and that GP practices would contact people to offer an appointment⁶. It added that the RSV vaccine should ideally be given separately to the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, as it is more effective on a different day from either³.

By 17 October, NHS England reported 714,699 RSV vaccinations administered since the rollout began². The same update gave the wider autumn campaign figures: more than 10 million COVID-19 and flu vaccinations delivered (10,709,958), with almost 7 million flu jabs given since 1 September (6,915,744)². NHS England said flu jabs had been available for pregnant women and children since 1 September, and were by then fully rolled out to all remaining eligible groups². The Welsh Government said the adult flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme in Wales would begin on 1 October 2024, and that flu vaccinations for children were already underway in schools⁴.

Why it matters for households

The offer covers two groups in England: pregnant women from 28 weeks, who are asked to book through their maternity service or GP practice, and adults aged 75 to 79, who are asked to wait to be invited by the NHS¹. NHS England's later guidance extends the older adult offer to those who turned 75 on or after 1 September 2024⁶. In Wales, the vaccine is offered to pregnant women and to people as they turn 75 under a year-round programme⁴. NHS England advises that the RSV vaccination is ideally given on a different day from any flu or COVID-19 vaccination³. Its winter guidance also sets out wider household measures attributed to Age UK and the UK Health Security Agency, including heating rooms that are regularly used to at least 18°C, checking heating and cooking appliances through a Gas Safe registered engineer, and fitting carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with appliances that burn gas, oil, coal or wood⁶. The UK Health Security Agency's deputy director of immunisation programmes, Julie Yates, said those invited for a flu, COVID-19 or RSV jab are invited because they are at greater risk, and advised people not to delay².

What happens next

NHS England said data on the autumn vaccination campaign would be published weekly on its website². It also said flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for other eligible groups would be available from 3 October, with online bookings having opened on 23 September and appointments running until 20 December¹. The UK Health Security Agency publishes surveillance data on flu and COVID-19, which NHS England said showed a rise in hospitalisations in week 40². Further information on health alerts and outbreak advice is set out in the health emergencies hub.