Madrid boosts RSV vaccine funding for seniors over 80

The Community of Madrid has approved an extra €18.5 million to purchase 170,000 doses of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for residents aged 80 and older. The investment represents a 50 % increase over the previous year’s €12.3 million budget and adds 70,000 doses to the programme.

The region, the first in Spain to offer the RSV vaccine to octogenarians outside of care homes, aims to raise coverage from the current roughly 30 % to near‑full immunisation of the target group. Between September 2025 and June 2026, 154,237 doses were administered to people over 80, leaving about seven out of ten seniors still unprotected. The vaccine, already shown to be highly effective in infants, is administered year‑round and is free of charge, with most health centres offering it without an appointment.

Officials say the boost is intended to prevent severe pneumonia and reduce pressure on intensive‑care units during RSV peaks, especially as the virus can cause serious complications in older adults with pre‑existing conditions.