All adults aged 65-74 living with a chronic respiratory condition or with a suppressed immune system will be able to receive their jab from their local GP practice or, in some parts of the country, at their local high street pharmacy from 1 September, to protect themselves from serious illness and hospitalisation.

Public health minister Sharon Hodgson said: ‘Respiratory Syncytial Virus can cause serious illness for older adults and those with underlying health conditions.

‘By expanding the vaccination programme, we're making sure more people who are at higher risk are protected before they become seriously ill.

‘This will save lives, prevent hundreds of avoidable hospital admissions and reduce pressure on the NHS during the winter months.'

The roll out follows the expansion of eligibility earlier this year to all older adults over the age of 80, with new figures published today by NHS England showing over half a million people aged 80 years and over have been given the jab in the past three months alone (519,571).