Written By: Longjam Dineshwori | Published : July 14, 2021 2:47 PM IST
The immune system is immature – so the kids are susceptible to infections and infections by deadly bacteria or viruses – that can kill or cripple them – vaccines prevent that.
Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in children under the age of five worldwide. According to the UNICEF, pneumonia kills more children than any other infectious disease, claiming around 2,200 every day or one child every 39 seconds. The UN's children agency reported in 2019 that five countries Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia were responsible for more than half of child pneumonia deaths. This is happening, despite pneumonia being a curable and preventable disease.
If properly diagnosed, pneumonia can be prevented with vaccines, and easily treated with low-cost antibiotics, said UNICEF.
To protect children from pneumonia, Tamil Nadu on Tuesday launched the pneumococcal vaccine campaign for children below five years. Each child will be given three doses of the vaccine -- in the 6th week, 14th week, and 9th month respectively, said the state health department.
Inaugurating the campaign at a public health centre at Poonamalle in Chennai, state Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that including the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) under the universal immunization programme will reduce the death rate in children due to pneumonia and meningitis.
The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine costs anywhere between Rs 1500 to Rs 3200 per dose in the market. But it is administered free of cost to children under the Universal Immunisation Programme.
Children in India are also given oral polio vaccine (OPV), rotavirus vaccine (oral drops), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and Penta vaccine (intramuscular injection) under the universal immunisation programme.
Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, with bacterial pneumonia being the most common form as well as more serious than other types.
The infection can leave the patients fighting for breath as it inflames your lungs' air sacs (alveoli), which may fill up with pus and fluid. Common pneumonia symptoms are chill, shivering, coughing and high fever. The advanced form of the disease could cause bluish-purple skin and mucous, shortness of breath, stabbing chest pain, loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue, nausea and vomiting (especially in small children), hypotension and confusion, especially in older people.
Generally, pneumonia affects children, seniors over 65 years old, smokers and people who suffer from diabetes and chronic kidney, heart or lung diseases or those with weakened immune system.
If you think your child has symptoms of pneumonia, consult a doctor immediately.
According to the Tamil Nadu health department, pneumonia in children is mainly caused by Hemophilus influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). It said that the incidence of pneumonia due to Hemophilus influenza has reduced from the earlier 85% to 15% now, due to the Penta vaccine. The administration of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can reduce pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. This this programme has reduced the incidence of pneumonia among children in developed countries like the United States, the department noted in a statement.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium that is commonly found in the nose and throat. It causes middle ear infections, sepsis (blood infection), pneumonia and meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord) or sinus infections. People with pneumococcal disease can spread the bacteria to others when they cough or sneeze.
The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine are two vaccines that provide protection against the most common types of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The first one is recommended for all children less than 24 months old and for children between 24 and 59 months of age who are at risk of the disease.
