According to recent reports by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Pneumonia is considered as the second most common cause of infant mortality, being responsible for 16.9% of infant deaths, following prematurity and low birth weight closely. These alarming statistics were published in the annual Pneumonia and Diarrhoea Progress Report by the International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC) in November 2020.
Understanding Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a severe respiratory infection targeting the lungs. Predominately, it is a Pneumococcal disease resulting due to bacterium known as Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus. The ailment isn’t associated with a single causal organism; rather, various bacteria, viruses, or fungi present in the air can lead to its development.
The Vulnerable Population & the Spread of Pneumonia
Newborns or children with weakened or immature immune systems are notably more susceptible to Pneumonia. This vulnerability increases significantly in the presence of undernourishment or immune-weakening diseases like HIV. The disease is highly contagious, spreading primarily via coughing or sneezing. Alternate transmission routes include fluid exchange such as blood during childbirth or contact with infected surfaces.
Vaccine as a Preventive Measure
The bacterially caused Pneumonia is preventable through vaccination. The primary vaccine recommended for preventing the disease is the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), administered in three doses. In addition, efforts are underway to develop a vaccine against one of the major viral causes of Pneumonia. India has initiated a nationwide rollout of PCV under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
Pneumonia’s Global Disease Burden
Globally, more than half of all deaths due to Pneumonia among children under five years occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. India alone records an estimated 71% of global pneumonia deaths and 57% of severe pneumonia cases annually.
Initiatives Related to Pneumonia
Various initiatives are in place in an effort to reduce child mortality due to Pneumonia. Principal among them is the Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) programme. SAANS aims to curtail child mortality by reducing pneumonia deaths to less than three per 1,000 live births by 2025, from its current contribution of approximately 15% of under-five fatalities annually.
In addition, the Integrated Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD), launched by India in 2014, seeks collaborative efforts to prevent diarrhoea and Pneumonia-related deaths among children under five years.
At a global level, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have been proactive, launching an integrated Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD).
