Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes approximately 30,000 hospitalisations and an estimated 8,000 deaths among older adults in the UK each year, according to UKHSA estimates. For infants, it is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and the most common reason for hospital admission in the first year of life. The UK's RSV immunisation programme, launched following Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice, now sits alongside flu and COVID-19 as a routine seasonal vaccination — and community pharmacists are central to its delivery.

UKHSA published an updated patient factsheet on 15 April 2026, reflecting the latest guidance on eligibility and scheduling. This article summarises what pharmacy teams need to know.

Who is eligible

The RSV programme targets two populations:

Older adults: Adults aged 75–79 are offered a single dose of the RSV vaccine (Abrysvo, a protein-based vaccine manufactured by Pfizer). The programme uses an age-based cohort model, with eligible individuals invited by their GP practice or through the national booking system. Adults who turned 75 since the programme launched and have not yet been vaccinated remain eligible.

Pregnant women: Vaccination during pregnancy (from 28 weeks of gestation) protects the newborn through transplacental antibody transfer. The maternal RSV vaccine provides passive immunity to the infant during the first months of life, when RSV-related bronchiolitis is most dangerous.

For infants who are not protected through maternal vaccination — for example, because the mother was not vaccinated during pregnancy or the baby was born prematurely before antibody transfer was complete — a monoclonal antibody product (nirsevimab, brand name Beyfortus) may be offered as an alternative. This is administered as a single intramuscular injection, typically in a hospital or GP setting rather than community pharmacy.

How the vaccine works

Abrysvo is a bivalent prefusion F protein vaccine. It presents the RSV fusion protein in its prefusion form — the shape the protein takes before the virus enters a cell — to stimulate a more targeted immune response than older vaccine approaches. The vaccine covers both RSV-A and RSV-B subtypes.

For older adults, the immune response from a single dose appears durable for at least two seasons based on clinical trial data, though the duration of protection is still being monitored through post-market surveillance. JCVI has not yet recommended routine boosting.

For pregnant women, the vaccine stimulates maternal antibody production that crosses the placenta, providing the newborn with protection from birth. Clinical trials demonstrated approximately 80% efficacy against severe RSV-related lower respiratory tract infection in infants during the first three months of life, declining to around 70% at six months.

Side effects

The UKHSA patient factsheet published on 15 April 2026 confirms that common side effects are similar to those seen with other protein-based vaccines:

• Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site (very common)
• Headache and fatigue (common)
• Muscle and joint pain (common)
• Nausea (uncommon)

Serious adverse reactions are rare. The Yellow Card scheme continues to monitor safety signals, and pharmacists should report any suspected adverse reactions through the MHRA reporting system.

For pregnant women, the safety profile in clinical trials showed no increase in preterm birth or adverse pregnancy outcomes. The JCVI recommendation for vaccination from 28 weeks of gestation reflects the balance between allowing sufficient time for antibody transfer and the gestational safety data.

The community pharmacy role

Community pharmacists contribute to the RSV programme in several ways:

Direct vaccination (where commissioned): Some community pharmacies are commissioned to administer RSV vaccines to eligible older adults, alongside seasonal flu and COVID-19 boosters. The number of pharmacies offering RSV vaccination continues to expand as commissioning arrangements mature.

Patient counselling: Pharmacists are frequently asked about RSV vaccination by patients who have received an invitation letter from their GP, pregnant women enquiring about the maternal programme, and parents and carers of young infants. The UKHSA factsheet is a useful resource to share with patients.

Co-administration advice: RSV vaccine can be given at the same time as the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 booster. There is no requirement for a gap between doses. Pharmacists administering seasonal vaccinations should proactively ask eligible patients whether they have also received their RSV vaccine.

Identifying eligible patients: Pharmacists can flag potentially eligible patients who may not have responded to their GP invitation — particularly adults aged 75–79 who present for other vaccinations or medicines reviews.

Common patient questions

"Is this the same as a flu jab?" No — RSV is a different virus from influenza. The RSV vaccine specifically targets respiratory syncytial virus, while the flu vaccine targets influenza strains. Both may be given in the same appointment.

"I've already had RSV — do I still need the vaccine?" Yes. Natural immunity to RSV wanes over time, and previous infection does not provide reliable long-term protection. The vaccine boosts antibody levels more consistently than natural infection alone.

"My daughter is pregnant — should she have the RSV vaccine?" The maternal RSV vaccine is recommended from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect the newborn. It is offered through antenatal services or GP practices. Pharmacists can reinforce this recommendation when dispensing antenatal prescriptions.

"Is the baby injection the same as the vaccine?" No. Nirsevimab (Beyfortus) is a monoclonal antibody, not a vaccine — it provides ready-made antibodies rather than stimulating the immune system to produce its own. It is used for infants who did not receive protection through maternal vaccination.

Seasonal timing

RSV circulates primarily during autumn and winter in the UK, with peak activity typically between October and February. The vaccination programme is timed to ensure that protective antibody levels are highest during peak season. Older adults are invited for vaccination from September onwards, and maternal vaccination is offered year-round given the unpredictable timing of delivery relative to the RSV season.

For pharmacists seeking to explore vaccination service roles, the PharmSee jobs board lists positions across community and primary care settings. The PharmSee pharmacy directory maps community pharmacies across England, including those offering vaccination services.