World Pneumonia Day; Experts Advocate For Preventive Care to Reduce Child Mortality From Pneumonia

With an estimated six point seven million (6.7 million) childhood pneumonia cases in Nigeria annually experts have advocated the adoption of preventive care as a means of reducing childhood mortality arising from pneumonia.
Referred to as the “forgotten killer”, pneumonia is an infection of the lungs which make breathing difficult.
It can lead to permanent disability and death. It is responsible for about 1.4million deaths of under 5 children annually around the world.
Ninety eight percent (98%) of these are recorded in developing countries. Nigeria is said to have the highest burden in Africa and second in the world.
The Global Culture Action is resulting in this partnership between GSK and Nigeria’s government to ensure children under 5 are well protected against pneumonia by vaccinating them with PVC10.
PVC10 is mainly for prevention and should be administered to children trice before age one.
Pneumonia is spread through contact with infected persons cough or sneeze particles. like most communicable diseases, experts call for optimal personal and environmental hygiene aside vaccination as another major form of prevention.