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The World Health Organization’s (WHO) efforts to combat pneumonia focus on promoting vaccines that prevent the disease, improving access to healthcare, and reducing risk factors that contribute to its spread
World Pneumonia Day 2024: Vaccination is one of the most effective preventive strategies
Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly among young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) efforts to combat pneumonia focus on promoting vaccines that prevent the disease, improving access to healthcare, and reducing risk factors that contribute to its spread. Vaccination is one of the most effective preventive strategies.
Dr. Sayoni Datta, Consultant Microbiologist, Metropolis Healthcare Limited (Rajarhat) guides us through it:
Types of Vaccines
Several vaccines are available that particularly prevent the most common bacterial and viral pathogens:
- Pneumococcal Vaccines It protects against pneumococcal pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, one of the leading causes of pneumonia cases globally. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) help to protect against various strains of this bacteria. The vaccines are recommended for children, older adults, and those with specific health conditions.
- Influenza VaccinesInfluenza (flu) virus can lead to influenza and its associated complications, including secondary bacterial pneumonia. Annual flu vaccinations can reduce the incidence of pneumonia and its complications, particularly during flu season, especially for vulnerable groups.
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) VaccineHib was once a leading cause of pneumonia in children, but widespread use of the Hib vaccine has significantly reduced the incidence of pneumonia. The vaccine is routinely given to infants to protect against severe respiratory infections.
- COVID-19 VaccinesCOVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can lead to severe pneumonia, particularly in older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Vaccination against COVID-19 has proven to reduce the risk of severe pneumonia and related complications.
- BCG Vaccine The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, primarily known for its protection against tuberculosis, can also help to reduce the incidence of pneumonia in children, especially in low socio-economic strata and settings with poor hygiene.
Who can benefit from pneumonia vaccination:
Vaccination is particularly crucial for groups at high risk of developing pneumonia, including:
Children
Infants and toddlers have underdeveloped immune systems, so susceptible to infections like pneumonia. WHO estimates that in 2019, pneumonia caused about 2.5 million child deaths globally. The majority of these occur in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Expanding access to vaccines, especially in low-income countries, can reduce the number of childhood pneumonia-related deaths. Vaccines such as BCG, Influenza, PCV13, and Hib protect against serious bacterial pneumonia.
Older Adults
Older adults are at higher risk of pneumonia because their immune system weakens with age. Pneumococcal pneumonia is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in older adults and immune-compromised individuals. The vaccines (PCV13 and PPSV23) are recommended for older adults.
The recommendations for adult vaccination are-
a) Individuals aged 50 years and older
b) Individuals with certain underlying medical conditions, i.e. coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic renal failure.
c) Chronic smokers
d) Individuals suffering from sleep disorders, or prone to nocturnal aspiration.
Immuno-compromised Individuals: People with weakened immune systems due to conditions like HIV, or cancer treatments; people with organ or bone marrow transplantation; people receiving long-term therapy with steroids or immunosuppressive agents.
Role of vaccines in reducing healthcare burden
Widespread vaccination coverage in adults and children can lead to a significant reduction in healthcare costs by preventing severe infections, repeated hospitalizations, and prolonged hospital stays. Combined efforts of public and private healthcare sectors, community participation, and awareness are essential to the long-term fight against pneumonia.
Challenges in vaccination
The following factors affect the pneumonia-preventing vaccines globally:
- Difficulties in providing vaccines to all children due to financial, logistical, and infrastructural barriers.
- vaccines are proven to be safe and effective, still, vaccine hesitancy, mostly created by misinformation or mistrust, remains a challenge in some regions.
- Strong health systems are essential to the effective delivery of vaccines. Governments need to strengthen their infrastructures to ensure that immunization programs reach all populations in a country, particularly the most vulnerable.
