NHS England funds this service and aims to vaccinate as many people as possible each year. For those over 50, people with a medical condition or pregnant women, catching flu can be more serious and that’s why they are offered a FREE NHS funded flu vaccine.
- Asthma or COPD
- Kidney disease
- Neurological disease
- Diabetes
- Asplenia or splenic dysfunction
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Morbid obesity
- A weakened immune system due to disease or treatment
pregnant women**
**all patients must be 18 years of age or over
Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death due to infection in men and women. It can increase the risk of having a heart attack, as well as worsening existing heart failure. Pneumonia can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk of catching it. Risk factors include:
• Increasing age – the risk is greater in older adults
• Smoking – not only is the risk of catching pneumonia greater, but it can be more serious in people who smoke
• Other health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease or respiratory diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• A weakened immune system
*NHS Digital, Hospital Episode Statistics for England. Admitted Patient Care statistics, 2016-17. Data for pneumonia (all causes).
**NHS Choices.