Hope for pneumonia patients as new vaccine reduces cases by 27 percent

Pneumonia cases in children under five years has fallen by 27 percent since the introduction of pneumonia vaccine in 2011.

This is according to the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine study conducted in Kilifi County Hospital which was released earlier on this week.

The study covered 13 years and analysed the cases of nearly 45,000 children under five years that was used to make a case for investment in herd immunity.

Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa a Paediatrician and Clinical Epidemiologist  who participated in the study called on the government to support the programme and clarified that symptoms such as cough,, difficulty in breathing and seizures reduced after vaccination.

“It is critical that the government to maintain the vaccination programme even after GAVI ends. it is also important to maintain surveillance to ensure the vaccination programme remains cost effective and safe,” said Dr. Adetifa.

Before the introduction of the vaccine the incidence of pneumonia was 1,220 per 100,000, children.