Vaccination is a key element of preventing illness and death in patients with COPD. Community pharmacy teams are in a unique position to encourage patients to have their vaccinations. 

• Influenza vaccine: Vaccinations in people living with lung disease can reduce hospital admissions for flu by up to 52 per cent and mortality by 70 per cent. However, uptake in people with chronic respiratory conditions is still too low and leaves many people with lung disease at risk of complications. 
• Pneumococcal vaccine: Infections are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae  and can lead to pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis. People with a long-term health condition like COPD may need a one-off pneumococcal vaccination or vaccination every five years depending on their underlying health problem irrespective of age. Prescribers will conduct a risk/benefit evaluation for ICS treatment as it may be associated with an increased risk of pneumonia. Withdrawal of ICS must be considered in case of emergent pneumonia. 
• Coronavirus vaccine: Clinical ‘at risk’ groups for the vaccine are defined as “those with asthma that requires continuous or repeated use of systemic steroids or with previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including chronic bronchitis and emphysema”.