12:20pm Thursday 26th November 2009
By Alex Hayes
HIGH risk groups are being urged to get a vaccination to help protect against a dangerous bacteria which causes pneumonia and meningitis by NHS Barnet.
The pneumococcal vaccines are provided free from GPs for people including young children, people over 65, those suffering from chronic conditions and people whose spleen has been removed.
About 40,000 people a year are admitted to hospital across the UK with pneumococcal disease, while the bacteria is also one of the main causes of blood poisoning, meningitis and middle ear infections.
Experts say adults should only need one dose of the vaccine in their lifetime and the vaccine is now one of a routine course given to children under two.
To book an appointment to get immunised contact your GP.
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