UK Expands RSV Vaccine Eligibility for Adults 65–74

UK Expands RSV Vaccination to Adults Aged 65–74 in Certain Clinical Risk Groups 

LONDON, United Kingdom September 1, 2026 -  The United Kingdom's Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has formally expanded eligibility for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination to include adults aged 65 to 74 years in certain clinical risk groups, effective today. The policy shift, implemented under England's national immunisation programme, marks a significant broadening of the country's RSV prevention strategy and carries direct implications for the global Vaccines Market, which is projected to reach USD 115.08 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.5%. 

The expansion, detailed in UKHSA's Vaccine Update Issue 374, designates Pfizer's Abrysvo® as the vaccine to be deployed for the newly eligible cohort. Healthcare providers across England have been directed to ensure adequate fridge capacity and to place orders through ImmForm in advance of the programme's commencement, with ordering controls in place to balance supply with demand. 

The policy decision is underpinned by compelling surveillance data from the 2025–2026 RSV season. UKHSA's SARI Watch surveillance found that following the first full year of maternal RSV vaccination, intensive care admissions for infants under six months of age fell by 50%, with programme coverage recorded at approximately 62%. Vaccine impact analysis further indicated a sustained reduction in RSV-related hospitalisation rates among eligible adults aged 75 to 80 years, reinforcing the public health case for extending coverage to younger at-risk adults. 

Key Highlights: 

• Eligibility Expansion: From September 1, 2026, adults aged 65 to 74 years in certain clinical risk groups in England are now eligible for RSV vaccination under the national immunisation programme. 

• Vaccine Deployed: Pfizer's Abrysvo® (single-dose pack) has been designated for use in this expanded cohort, with supply managed through UKHSA's ImmForm ordering system. 

• Demonstrated Impact: RSV intensive care admissions for infants under six months declined by 50% in the first full year of maternal vaccination, with 65.0% of eligible older adults having received an RSV vaccine by end of May 2026 in England. 

• Market Growth Context: According to Next Move Strategy Consulting, the global Vaccines Market is forecast to grow from USD 83.38 billion in 2024 to USD 115.08 billion by 2030, driven by an aging population, rising chronic disease prevalence, and increased healthcare expenditure. 

Analyst Insight: 

According to analysts at Next Move Strategy Consulting, the UK's decision to extend RSV vaccination eligibility to adults aged 65 to 74 in clinical risk groups reflects a broader global trend of governments leveraging evidence-based immunisation policy to reduce hospitalisation burdens among vulnerable populations. NMSC analysts note that as RSV vaccine programmes mature and demonstrate measurable reductions in intensive care admissions, adoption is likely to accelerate across other high-income markets, creating sustained demand for RSV-specific vaccine products and reinforcing the long-term growth trajectory of the global vaccines industry. 

Industry Outlook: 

The UKHSA's expansion of RSV vaccination eligibility represents a pivotal step in the evolution of adult immunisation policy in the United Kingdom. With surveillance data confirming a 50% reduction in infant intensive care admissions following maternal vaccination and documented reductions in hospitalisation rates among older adults, the evidence base for broader RSV immunisation programmes continues to strengthen. 

For the global vaccines industry, such policy expansions signal growing institutional commitment to preventive immunisation across age cohorts beyond the traditional paediatric focus. As governments in Europe and beyond assess similar expansions, manufacturers of RSV vaccines including Pfizer (Abrysvo®) and GSK (Arevxy®) are positioned to benefit from increased public sector procurement. The convergence of ageing demographics, rising healthcare expenditure, and proven vaccine efficacy is expected to sustain upward momentum in the global vaccines market through 2030 and beyond. 

Source: Vaccine Update: Issue 374, August 2026 — UK Health Security Agency (GOV.UK)

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Prepared By: Sanyukta Deb