The former Only Way Is Essex star Joan Collins – mother of Gemma – has passed away at 70 after contracting life-threatening pneumonia twice in the space of six months. Ms Collins is the latest in a series of high profile figures to fall victim to the condition. More people die from pneumonia in Britain than anywhere else in Europe, according to lung charity Asthma and Lung UK. Those with weakened immune systems, such as patients undergoing cancer treatment, elderly people or babies, are more vulnerable to pneumonia, Professor Hunter says. Professor Hunter says there are highly effective ways to protect yourself from pneumonia – for example, by staying up to date with pneumococcal, flu, RSV and Covid vaccines.