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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine - RSV vaccine for older adults

The number of people going to hospital because of RSV has increased in the last 20 years. In September 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended an RSV immunisation programme to protect older adults and NHS services during the winter months. The JCVI is a group of experts in the UK that advises the Government on vaccines and immunisation. 

Information:

You can help protect yourself against serious illness from RSV by having the RSV vaccination when it is offered to you.

About the vaccine

How will I get my vaccination?

When you become eligible, the NHS will let you know when and where to get the vaccine. If they don’t, or you think you might have missed the invitation, speak to your healthcare provider. 

You can have the RSV vaccine at any time of the year. It is an injection given in the upper arm. 

Catch-up vaccination for people aged 75 to 79:

Over the next 12 months, the vaccine will also be offered to everyone aged 75 to 79 as part of a catch-up programme.

Eligible patients should look out for an appointment letter for their RSV vaccination, or book an appointment at a clinic being advertised by their GP surgery when invited to do so. All eligible people should be offered the vaccine by August 31 2025.

Can the RSV vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?

You can have the RSV vaccine at the same time as the shingles or pneumococcal vaccines. The RSV vaccine won’t usually be given with the COVID-19 or flu vaccinations.   

Eligibility for the vaccine
Age on 1 September 2024  When can the RSV vaccine be administered?
74 years On or after 75th birthday
75 to 79 years Any time during this age range
80 years or over (if you were born after 2 September 1944)  Any time

Catch-up vaccination for people aged 75 to 79:

Over the next 12 months, the vaccine will also be offered to everyone aged 75 to 79 as part of a catch-up programme.

Eligible patients should look out for an appointment letter for their RSV vaccination, or book an appointment at a clinic being advertised by their GP surgery when invited to do so. All eligible people should be offered the vaccine by August 31 2025.

As well as older adults, there is also an RSV vaccination programme for pregnant women.

Do I need to have the vaccine every year?

No. Trials show the vaccine gives good protection for at least two years and is likely to last longer.

Which other vaccines may I be eligible for?

Other routine vaccines available for older adults include: 

  • influenza (flu) 
  • pneumococcal, and 
  • shingles. 

For more information, visit the immunisation and vaccine page.

You can also see the complete routine immunisation schedules for Wales.

Safety and effectiveness

All medicines and vaccines have passed strict safety standards for use in the UK and are very safe. As with all medicines and vaccines, any reports of side effects are closely monitored and reviewed. 

Are there any side effects from the vaccine?

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and don’t last long, and not everyone gets them. The most common side effects should only last a day or two.  

The most common side effects in the first day or two are:  

  • pain, redness or swelling where the injection was given. 

Rare or very rare side effects from the vaccine include: 

  • allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, hives (a raised, itchy rash), difficulty swallowing, and feeling dizzy, and 
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome, a nerve condition that can cause muscle weakness.  

Serious side effects are rare. Overall, the vaccine is safer than the risk of serious illness from RSV infection.  

To find out more about the side effects of the vaccine, read the patient information leaflet online:  

If your symptoms get worse or if you are concerned, contact NHS Wales by calling 111 or ring your GP surgery. Calls to NHS 111 Wales are free from landlines and mobile phones. 

You should report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines online at the Yellow Card website (external site), by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).   

Call 999 immediately if you have had the vaccine and experience any of the following. 

  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Prolonged fainting, confusion or unconsciousness 
  • Swelling of the face, neck or tongue. 

These symptoms may be a sign of a serious allergic reaction and typically happen within 15 minutes of being vaccinated. 

Can I still get RSV when I am vaccinated?

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness from RSV. No vaccine is 100% effective, so it is still important to know the signs and symptoms of RSV, even if you are vaccinated.  

For more information about the symptoms of respiratory tract infections, visit the NHS 111 Wales website (external site).

Is there anyone who should not have an RSV vaccine?

There are very few people who cannot have the RSV vaccine. The vaccine should not be given to anyone who has had a confirmed serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to:  

  • any of the ingredients of the vaccines, or 
  • a previous dose of the same RSV vaccine.

More information

Page last reviewed: 9th October 2025