Free 23-valent pneumococcal vaccines are being made available for seniors in the Tianhe district of Guangzhou - capital city of South China's Guangdong province - and eligible people can make an appointment at their nearest community health service center or township health center.

The vaccine helps protect against of pneumococcal bacteria that can cause serious infections in children and adults, such as cases of pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. 

Qualified people need to have their domicile place in Guangzhou, be born before Dec 31 in 1958, have no vaccination contraindications and have not been vaccinated with the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine before - or got a one-dose 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine five years ago.