Illnesses such as influenza (flu), Covid-19 and pneumococcal infections can aggravate inflammation of the airways and lungs. The combination of COPD and these illnesses can lead to pneumonia and other serious respiratory conditions, even in cases where the disease is mild and symptoms are under control.

Fortunately, these diseases can be prevented by vaccination, which offers the best possible protection.

Other vaccines that can protect you include the Tdap vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, and the Zoster vaccine against shingles.

? Possible questions to ask your doctor

• What vaccines are recommended for COPD sufferers?
• What are the risks of not vaccinating?
• Which vaccines need to be repeated, and at what intervals?