Gwybodaeth ddiweddaraf am raglen frechu RSV 2026 (WHC/2026/020)

Dyddiad Cyhoeddi:

30  Mehefin 2026

Statws:

Cydymffurfio / Gweithredu

Categori:

Iechyd cyhoeddus

Teitl:

Ehangu Cymhwysedd y Brechlyn RSV i Oedolion 65 ac yn uwch (mewn Perygl)

Dyddiad dod i ben / dyddiad adolygu:

Amherthnasol

I’w weithredu gan:

• Prif Weithredwyr, Byrddau a Ymddiriedolaethau Iechyd
• Arweinwyr Gweithredol Brechu, Byrddau a Ymddiriedolaethau Iechyd
• Cyfarwyddwyr Meddygol, Byrddau a Ymddiriedolaethau Iechyd
• Cyfarwyddwyr Gofal Sylfaenol, Byrddau a Ymddiriedolaethau Iechyd
• Cyfarwyddwyr Gweithredol Nyrsio, Byrddau a Ymddiriedolaethau Iechyd
• Prif Fferyllwyr, Byrddau a Ymddiriedolaethau Iechyd
• Cyfarwyddwyr Iechyd y Cyhoedd, Byrddau a Ymddiriedolaethau Iechyd
• Penaethiaid Bydwreigiaeth, Byrddau a Ymddiriedolaethau Iechyd
• Cyfarwyddwr Gweithredol Iechyd y Cyhoedd, Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru
• Pennaeth y Rhaglen Frechu yn erbyn Clefydau Ataliadwy, Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru
• Cyfarwyddwr Cyflawni'r Brechlyn, Rhaglen Frechu Cymru, Perfformiad a Gwella GIG Cymru  
• Fferylliaeth Gymunedol Cymru
• Pwyllgor Ymarferwyr Cyffredinol Cymru
• Ymarferwyr Cyffredinol

Anfonir gan:

Dr Keith Reid, Dirprwy Brif Swyddog Meddygol (Iechyd y Cyhoedd)

Enw(au) cyswllt yng Ngrŵp Iechyd, Gofal Cymdeithasol a'r Blynyddoedd Cynnar Llywodraeth Cymru:

Yr Is-adran Frechu, 
Llywodraeth Cymru, 
Parc Cathays, 
Caerdydd, 
CF10 3NQ
E-bost: wg.vaccinationsprogrammeteam@llyw.cymru 

Dogfennau amgaeedig:

Dim

Dear Colleagues, 

In June 2023, the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that a programme for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination in older adults should be established. The RSV vaccination programme began in Wales in September 2024, with an offer of immunisation to those 75 to 79 years of age. Following consideration of additional data on the use of vaccine in older adults, JCVI issued further advice in July 2025 to extend the programme to those aged 80 years and older and all residents in a care home for older adults. This program commenced on 1 April 2026 in Wales.

In February 2026 the JCVI again reviewed evidence demonstrating the beneficial impact of RSV vaccination in adults aged 65 to 74 years of age in certain clinical risk groups: those with immunosuppression or chronic respiratory disease (this latter group excludes those with well-controlled asthma). Following this, the JCVI advised that the older adult RSV vaccination programme should be extended to this cohort. 

The evidence showed that RSV hospitalisation rates among immunosuppressed adults and those with chronic respiratory disease (excluding those with well‑controlled asthma) met or exceeded those seen in adults aged 75 years and over. The latest JCVI evidence suggests that mortality rates are also comparable to the aged 75 and over cohort. Therefore, the JCVI agreed there is sufficient evidence to support extending RSV vaccination eligibility to these groups.

Following this updated advice from the JCVI, published on 9 April 2026, the Welsh Government has agreed that from the 1 September 2026 the programme will be expanded. 

The forthcoming change from 1 September 2026 will expand the programme to include individuals between 65 to 74 years old in certain clinical at risk groups:

• Those who are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment as defined in the relevant national clinical guidance (currently aligned to the definition set out in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book).
• Those who have chronic respiratory disease, including those with:
  • poorly controlled asthma
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • bronchiectasis
  • cystic fibrosis
  • interstitial lung fibrosis
  • pneumoconiosis
  • bronchopulmonary dysplasia

This aligns with the criteria set out in the Green Book: RSV chapter which should be referred to for any queries regarding patient eligibility.

Health Boards are expected to maximise uptake of the RSV catch‑up programme during September. In routine delivery of vaccination, where appropriate, the vaccinators should consider opportunities for co-administration with COVID-19 as part of the autumn programme.

In line with Green Book RSV Chapter, RSV vaccine may be co‑administered with other adult vaccines, including COVID‑19, shingles and pneumococcal, where appropriate. However, RSV and influenza vaccines should not routinely be co-administered. Please refer to the RSV chapter of the Green Book for further advice on vaccine co-administration.

Vaccinators should consider opportunities to review the vaccination record of eligible individuals and identify any opportunities to deliver outstanding vaccinations (including for instance shingles or pneumococcal). Records can be reviewed and patients signposted to relevant providers i.e. GPs, for further action.

The routine delivery of RSV vaccines to individuals turning 75 years of age within 12 weeks of their birthday will continue and should remain a priority, as should opportunistically offers to anyone eligible who may have missed their vaccinations.

The vaccine used in the programme will continue to be Abrysvo® on a one dose schedule, and ordering will be via the Immform platform. There is currently no recommendation for revaccination in the older adults RSV programme as a single dose is expected to give multiple years protection. Adults who become eligible for the vaccine from 1 September 2026 because they are aged 65 to 74 year olds and in a certain clinical at risk group will not require a further dose of Abrysvo® when they become 75 years old. Additional evidence is needed on the durability of first dose protection and the effectiveness of revaccination to determine any revaccination policy.

There will be a time limited catch up programme starting on the 1 September 2026 for 1 month ahead of the start for the adult influenza season in October with the aim of vaccinating those in clinical risk groups.

The catch‑up programme for this limited cohort will conclude by 30 September 2026, allowing vaccination of the maximum number of eligible individuals ahead of the RSV season and avoiding significant operational overlap with the autumn influenza and COVID‑19 programmes. All eligible individuals should be invited to attend a vaccination appointment during this period.

Outside of this period of targeted catch up offers of vaccination should continue throughout the year. Individuals will remain eligible beyond this date and should be offered vaccination routinely by general practice once a relevant clinical risk is identified or they enter the eligible age group.

Health boards should continue the ongoing work to increase vaccine uptake, reduce waste, and ensure fair access for everyone eligible. 

A coordinated, equity‑focused vaccination approach is required to overcome barriers and meet the diverse needs of underserved communities, ensuring maximum uptake. While progress has been made across Wales to embed equity into vaccination policy and practice, inequalities in uptake persist in some areas.

Equity needs to be built into the design and delivery of services, to promote universal accessibility, but with tailored interventions to understand and overcome the specific barriers faced by different population groups. Health boards should ensure that RSV vaccination is made as accessible as possible, with access offered close to home and through familiar local services wherever possible.

With this in mind, we expect:

• All those eligible should receive an invitation for RSV vaccination in a timely manner through a proactive approach using robust call, recall and reminder systems. This may include direct contact by letter, phone call, email, text or other locally determined methods.
• Health boards should ensure all eligible individuals receive an invitation by 30 September 2026 to support vaccination ahead of the RSV season, recognising that follow-up and re‑booking of appointments may be required.
• Following the initial 1 month catch up programme, routine vaccination delivery should continue as normal. Where access issues or challenges to uptake remain, these should be addressed through a coordinated, system‑wide approach within health board‑led delivery arrangements.
• Health boards should make every effort to maximise uptake, and with a particular focus on vaccination equity, plan delivery to ensure uptake rates are similar in the least and most deprived areas of the health board.
• The RSV vaccination programme will continue to be recorded through use of the Welsh Immunisation System. Data on single dose coverage of the RSV vaccination will be collected automatically through WIS to support programme delivery and intelligence on vaccination uptake and reported monthly.
• Implementation and performance of the programme will be reviewed regularly, to ensure alignment against the programme’s goals.

I recognise the commitment shown by Health Boards and GP practices in delivering the RSV programme alongside other vaccination programmes. Expanding the cohort is an important step in strengthening protection for older and clinically vulnerable people and will help deliver a further reduction in the impact of RSV on primary and secondary care services in future winter seasons.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Keith Reid

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (Public Health)

Product information 

RSV vaccine ordering, storage and waste

The RSV vaccine, Abrysvo®, is already supplied via the ImmForm website (a UKHSA website to collect data on vaccine coverage and provide vaccine ordering facilities for the NHS) for the programme. 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 weeks’ worth of stock. 

Detailed clinical guidance on RSV and RSV vaccination is contained in chapter 27a of Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (the 'Green book').

GPs and health boards must ensure that all vaccines are received, stored, prepared and, where appropriate, transported in accordance with the relevant manufacturer’s instructions and national guidance, including NHS Wales guidance on the ordering, storage and handling of vaccines (Ordering, storage and handling of vaccines - Welsh Medicines Advice Service), as well as Public Health Wales and local health board standard operating procedures.

Patient Group Directives (PGDs)

Delivery of the RSV vaccination programme for adults aged 65 and over will be supported through nationally developed Patient Group Direction (PGD) templates. These will be made available via the Welsh Medicines Advice Service (WMAS) and are required to be reviewed, signed, and authorised locally by Health Boards or NHS Trusts prior to use.

Surveillance and reporting

Public Health Wales will lead surveillance and monitoring of RSV and the RSV immunisation programme in Wales.

To support delivery, Public Health Wales will provide surveillance reports and will work closely with Digital Health and Care Wales to access data from appropriate national data systems.
This will include exploring approaches to centrally reconcile vaccination uptake data and, where feasible, linking to clinical risk group data derived from GP systems to support more detailed cohort analysis.

Work is being undertaken at pace to provide a national digital solution for the recording of and payment for RSV vaccinations. Further information will be communicated when possible.

Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) RSV Specific resources

The following resources will be updated to reflect this change and will be available to order in due course:

Training resources

RSV vaccination programme for older adults Slide set

Healthcare professional resources

Bilingual RSV Template invitation letter in Cymraeg and English

RSV Visual aid in Cymraeg and Enflish

RSV Toolkit in Cymraeg and English

RSV Healthcare professional webpage in Cymraeg and English

RSV Healthcare professional FAQs

Public resources

Bilingual patient information leaflet available to order

Accessible RSV specific resources will be available