Poland is reviewing the rules governing its free-medicine programme for people aged 65+, and the process may also affect the RSV vaccine, which has been available free of charge to seniors since April 2025. Health experts quoted by Newseria warn that any reduction in access could be particularly significant ahead of the autumn and winter infection season.
According to data cited by Newseria, around 500,000 people aged 65 and over have so far received the free RSV vaccine, equivalent to roughly 6.9% of this age group. An AOTMiT analysis from 2024 indicated that people over 65 accounted for about 90% of adults hospitalised with RSV in Poland.
RSV poses a greater risk to older patients
For seniors, respiratory syncytial virus can lead not only to severe respiratory infection but also to worsening of chronic conditions. Physicians point in particular to the risk of hospitalisation and complications in people with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other age-related conditions.
The beginning of the infection season is also the period when doctors most often discuss vaccination against influenza and RSV. The two vaccines can be administered during the same visit, in separate injection sites, without the need for an interval between them.
Health Ministry says the goal is better use of public funds
The controversy comes as the Ministry of Health changes the way free-drug lists are reviewed. The ministry says the reform is designed to strengthen price negotiations, increase competition between equivalent medicines and free up funds for additional therapies rather than reduce patients’ access to treatment.
A ministry order signed on 27 August introduced a new procedure for verifying the lists of medicines and medical products supplied free of charge to eligible groups. The government estimates that stronger negotiating tools could release hundreds of millions of zlotys for new treatments. Whether the RSV vaccine remains within the current senior entitlement will therefore be closely watched as the review proceeds.
