Some people have health conditions that cause a higher risk of serious illness due to pneumococcal disease. They can get the vaccination against pneumococcal disease through their treating physician (medical specialist). This page explains who is eligible for the vaccination.
Medical risk groups
The medical risk groups for pneumococcal disease include:
- people with impaired spleen function or without a spleen (such as people who have sickle cell anaemia)
- people with cochlear implants
- people with a brain fluid leak (CSF leak)
- people who have had bacterial meningitis
- people with impaired immunity who have less effective resistance to disease
- people who have lung damage due to COVID-19 and suffer from chronic respiratory symptoms as a result
If you are in one or more of these medical risk groups, you can get a vaccination against pneumococcal disease through your treating physician (medical specialist).
Already vaccinated against pneumococcal disease?
Are you in one of these medical risk groups, and have you also been invited to get the pneumococcal vaccination based on your age? You may already have had this vaccination. Ask your GP if you still need a vaccination, and when would be best for you to be vaccinated if you have not had it yet.