A vaccine to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will be offered to millions of over 75s and pregnant women from September 1.
It is hoped the rollout will prevent thousands of hospital admissions, easing pressure on the NHS during the challenging winter period.
RSV accounts for around 30,000 hospitalisations among children under five and 9,000 among over 75s each year.
Around nine in 10 children are infected within the first two years of their lives and, while most suffer only mild symptoms, some 20-30 infants die each year.
Announcing the jab programme, Public Health and Prevention Minister Andrew Gwynne recalled his family’s brush with the virus.
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He said: “As someone who has seen the devastating effects of RSV firsthand, I am thrilled to see the UK leading in the way in tackling this devastating disease.
“My own grandson contracted RSV when he was just days old, leading to weeks in intensive care, and a lifelong impact on his health. I don’t want anyone to go through what he went through.
“Not only will this vaccine save lives and protect the most vulnerable, it will help ease pressure on our broken NHS, freeing up thousands of hospital beds as we head into winter.”
People aged 75-79 in September will be invited to receive the vaccine, made by Pfizer, as part of a catch-up programme.
It will then be routinely offered to anyone turning 75 and women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant.
The programme is expected to deliver up to 1.4 million doses for children under five and 3.5 million doses for older adults over two years.
Clinical trials suggest the vaccine can cut risk of severe lower respiratory tract disease among older people by around 89 percent over one viral season.
The UK will be the first country in the world to have a national programme that uses the same jab to protect both newborns and older adults against RSV.
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said the rollout was “a huge step forward and will undoubtedly save the lives of many of those most at risk”.
He added: “We strongly encourage those aged 75 to 79 to come forward for their vaccine when they are invited from September and for women who are 28 or more weeks pregnant to speak to their maternity service or GP surgery to ensure their baby is protected.”
Wales and Northern Ireland will also start their schemes in September, while Scotland will begin its rollout from 12 August.
Professor Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “This new vaccine offers huge opportunities to prevent severe illness in those most vulnerable to RSV, helping to protect lives and ease winter pressures for the NHS.
“UKHSA has provided critical scientific information to evidence the benefits of a national RSV immunisation programme and so the rollout of the vaccine is a truly positive moment for the public’s health.”