Correspondence

Annexe A: detailed information, guidance and resources for healthcare professionals

Published 2 February 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rsv-vaccination-for-older-adults-expansion-of-eligibility/annexe-a-detailed-information-guidance-and-resources-for-healthcare-professionals

Recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)

The JCVI published advice in July 2025, based on the latest evidence, that the offer of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination should be extended to all adults aged 80 years old and over, as well as all residents in care homes for older adults regardless of their age, due to their increased risk of contracting RSV.

Vaccine supply

The RSV vaccine, Abrysvo®, is already supplied via the ImmForm website (a UKHSA website used to collect data on vaccine coverage and provide vaccine ordering facilities for the NHS) for the programme. Providers are encouraged to order stock as part of their routine vaccine orders in advance of the expansion. See the ImmForm help sheet for information on registering for an ImmForm account. Providers are asked to make sure that local stocks of vaccine are rotated in fridges so that wastage is minimised. It is recommended that providers hold no more than 2 to 4 weeks’ worth of stock.

Contracting and funding arrangements for general practice

Discussions are ongoing regarding the 2026 to 2027 GP contract, and an update on the contractual arrangements will be provided in due course.

Co-administration

RSV vaccines can be administered alongside certain other vaccines, such as COVID-19 and Shingrix®, which may increase opportunities to offer the vaccine. As the timing of this expansion coincides with the Spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination campaign, co-administration is encouraged where individuals are eligible for both vaccines, particularly in care homes for older adults.

RSV vaccination is not seasonal and should be offered year-round. Arrangements will need to be made to vaccinate individuals in older adult care home settings as they become eligible in the future and outside other seasonal programmes (such as COVID-19). Refer to the Green Book RSV chapter for more information.

Vaccine coverage data collection

Data on single dose coverage of the RSV vaccination will be collected. GP practice-level RSV vaccine coverage will be based on data automatically uploaded via participating GP IT suppliers to the ImmForm website on a quarterly basis.

From 1 April 2026 data will be collected on:

  • denominator – the number of individuals aged 75 years old and over (no upper age limit) registered at a GP practice
  • numerator – the number of individuals aged 75 years old and over (no upper age limit) who have received RSV vaccination

The older adults RSV vaccine coverage for England is available on GOV.UK.

Patient group directions (PGDs)

An updated RSV patient group direction (PGD) template will be produced by UKHSA for NHS England regional teams to authorise for their commissioned services. This will be available from the PGD collection page on GOV.UK.

Information and guidance for healthcare practitioners

Detailed clinical guidance is contained in the RSV chapter of Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (the Green Book).

Healthcare practitioner information and guidance to support the programme, including e-learning and a training slide set, will be updated and available on the RSV vaccination programme webpage.

Leaflets, posters and resources

Updated patient information materials will be available on the RSV vaccination programme webpage and to order from the Find Health Publications.

All patient-facing resources and the health professional posters can be ordered free of charge through Find public health resources.

All users need to register to receive deliveries. If you register as a health professional, you can order 500 to 1,000 copies on the website. For larger quantities, call 0300 123 1002.

Guidance on informed consent can be found in chapter 2 of the Green Book.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions

Healthcare professionals and those vaccinated are asked to report suspected adverse reactions through the online Yellow Card scheme, by downloading the Yellow Card app or by calling the Yellow Card scheme on 0800 731 6789 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

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