Few vaccinations against disease

JUST 2% of the population have been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, compared with 40% who have been vaccinated against flu, research shows.

More than 200 people die every year as a result of contracting pneumococcal disease, an umbrella term for a range of illnesses, including meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia.

Immunisation guidelines for Ireland recommend that people over 65 years and certain vulnerable groups should be vaccinated against both pneumococcal disease and the flu.