World Pneumonia Day 2025 | News and events

Today on World Pneumonia Day (12 November 2025), the local NHS is encouraging eligible local people to have four vital vaccinations which help protect against pneumonia.

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection and it can make some people seriously ill and may require treatment in hospital. To help protect those most at risk of getting seriously unwell from pneumonia there are four vaccinations available for free on the NHS.

NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough are encouraging local people who are eligible and most at risk to make sure they get extra protection from pneumonia. The four vaccinations are available for free are:

1. RSV vaccine – for anyone who is pregnant; people aged 75 to 79; and people who turned 80 after 1 September 2024.
2. COVID-19 vaccine – for anyone 75 years and over; residents in a care home for older adults; and people who are immunosuppressed, as defined in COVID-19: the Green Book, Chapter 14a; Tables 3 and 4.
3. Flu vaccine – for to all children from 2 years old to Year 11 at school; people who 65 years and over; residents in a care home; anyone who is under 65 in a clinical risk group, as defined in The Green Book, Chapter 19; Table 19.1; anyone who is pregnant; and carers and close contacts of immunocompromised individuals.
4. Pneumococcal vaccine – for babies (at 16 weeks old and booster at 1 year); people aged 65 and over; and children and adults at higher risk of getting seriously ill.

Cali Makewell, Integrated Vaccination Service Lead with NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “While it's not uncommon to have respiratory illnesses circulating more at this time of year, these viruses can be particularly nasty to anyone with who is more at risk of getting seriously unwell.

“Vaccination is a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of complications from these winter diseases, like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. These vaccinations are offered to those most at risk because they need them, so make sure you get the vaccines you need this winter.”

For more information, please visit https://www.cpics.org.uk/the-vaccinators