Patients aged 65 and over are eligible for a vaccination against the serious forms of pneumococcal infection. In most cases it is a one-off vaccination.
Patients who are at increased risk of a pneumococcal infection (for example if you have COPD, congenital heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, have a cochlear implant or have a supressed immune system) are also eligible.
If your spleen does not work properly (or has been removed) or you have a chronic kidney condition, you may need booster doses every 5 years. This is because your levels of antibodies against the infection decrease over time.
Appointments for these vaccinations are available to book online or please call the surgery on 01451 830625.