New figures show shocking lack of awareness about deadly pneumonia

Doctors are urging people to get vaccinated against pneumonia after new figures revealed just one in five at-risk people had received the injection.

Pneumonia ranks in the top 10 most common causes of death in Australia.

However, just 14 percent of at-risk people are aware of their status, according to new research from the Lung Foundation.

Age, diabetes, smoking and heart disease are all risk factors.

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by bacteria.

It is more likely to occur after a cold or flu, but is more dangerous than either and at its most severe can kill.

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital intensive care specialist David Gattas said the disease could become life-threatening in a matter of hours.

“Some of the worst cases we see is someone recovering from a viral infection and they develop a bacterial infection,” he said.

“It’s a well-known and deadly combination.”

The pneumococcal vaccination is available at a local GP.

Unlike the flu shot, people are only required to be inoculated twice, with a follow-up shot five years after the first.

It is free for those aged 65 or older, or people with a chronic disease.