Health officials are warning people to be wary after 'misinformation' about possible coronavirus trials was posted.
Public Health England said posts on WhatsApp had suggested that patients had been invited to pneumonia vaccines as a potential trial for COVID-19 vaccine.
A tweet from PHE's account said: "Misinformation on WhatsApp claims patients have been invited to pneumonia vaccines as a trial for COVID-19 vaccine.
"Read correct information about pneumonia/pneumococcal vaccines here."
The NHS website states that the pneumonia vaccine protects against pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, as well as septicaemia, a form of blood poisoning, and meningitis.
These conditions can be life threatening.
The NHS advises that these infections can affect anyone, but that there are higher risks to babies, pensioners, and people with long term health conditions.
Vaccines protect patients against the infection by producing antibodies to destroy the infection.
The vaccine is thought to be around 50 to 70 per cent effective, the NHS states.
It says that occasions where people should not have the vaccine include if someone suffers a confirmed allergic reaction, if they have a fever when they are due to have the vaccine, or pregnant women who may wish to delay the vaccine until after the birth.
Scientists are racing to try and develop an effective coronavirus vaccine.
Trials are underway in studies led by the University of Oxford.
In May, Professor Andrew Pollard, head of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said: “The clinical studies are progressing very well and we are now initiating studies to evaluate how well the vaccine induces immune responses in older adults, and to test whether it can provide protection in the wider population.
“We are very grateful to the huge support of the trial volunteers in helping test whether this new vaccine could protect humans against the pandemic coronavirus."
