38,000 eligible people in Cambridgeshire missing vital vaccine

The local NHS is urging more than 38,000 people who’ve not had a vital vaccine to come forward this summer.

The pneumococcal vaccine protects against illnesses such as meningitis and pneumonia and is recommended for everyone age 65 and over.

Currently, there are over 38,000 eligible people in Cambridgeshire who’ve not come forward for their vaccine. The vaccine is only one dose, and people only need to have it once to have protection against:

- Meningitis (an infection in the brain and spinal cord);

- Sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection);

- Pneumonia (an infection in the lungs).

It takes about three weeks for the vaccination to work fully, which is why the local NHS is encouraging people to have their vaccination over the summer, ensuring they are protected going into colder months.

Cali Makewell, Integrated Vaccination Service lead at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “Whilst it feels a bit early to be thinking about winter, by having your pneumococcal vaccine, it can help reduce your risk of getting seriously unwell. Coughs, colds, wheeziness and breathlessness all increase over the colder months of the year, sometimes requiring treatment in hospital, with older people most at risk.”

GP practices will usually contact people to book their vaccine, but anyone who thinks they are eligible and have either not been invited or missed getting invited can contact their GP practice to book.