Posted on: 7 April 2026
West Yorkshire residents aged 75 and over can now get a vaccine to help protect against serious lung infection
Older people in West Yorkshire can now get protection against a virus which can cause serious lung infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
All adults aged 75 and over, and people living in a care home for older adults, are now eligible for the NHS Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine.
RSV is a common virus that infects the lungs. While symptoms are mild for many people, the virus can be severe in older adults, causing pneumonia, bronchitis and flare-ups of existing lung disease and other long-term conditions. This can make it difficult to breathe and leave some older people requiring hospital treatment.
Eligible people in West Yorkshire can book an appointment through their GP practice. People living in care homes should speak to care home staff about vaccination.
The RSV vaccination programme also continues to be offered to pregnant women to help protect newborn babies.
Dr James Thomas, Medical Director at NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said:
“RSV can circulate all year round and, while it’s mild for many people, it can cause serious illness in older adults and those with existing health conditions. The RSV vaccine offers strong protection and can help reduce the risk of severe chest infections such as pneumonia.
If you’re eligible in West Yorkshire, please take up the offer as soon as you can by booking through your GP practice or speaking to staff in your care home. The vaccine offered during pregnancy also helps protect newborn babies.”
If you are newly eligible or are still yet to come forwards – don’t delay and book your free NHS vaccination in with your GP.
Find out more about RSV vaccinations on the NHS website www.
ENDS
Notes to editors
This spring 2026, as of 1 April 2026, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine will be available for free on the NHS to all:
- Adults who are aged 75 or over
- Adults who are living in a care home for older adults
These eligible groups have been determined based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)