Pneumonia The Highest Cause Of Child Death, PVC Vaccine Is The Key To Prevention

Illustration of children suffering from pneumonia (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Pneumonia is a global epidemic that is often neglected, whereas it is actually the highest infectious disease that causes child mortality worldwide. UNICEF noted that nearly 2.200 children under the age of five died from pneumonia every day around the world.

In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health recorded pneumonia as the cause of 14.5 percent infant mortality and 5 percent child mortality. However, pneumonia is actually pneumonia caused by preventable pneumococusing bacterial infection, one of which is by administering a pneumocococusing conjugate vaccine (PCV).

Commemorating World Pneumonia Day which falls on November 12 every year, MSD Indonesia, a global biopharmaceutical company that develops various innovative health solutions, again invites the public to increase awareness and awareness of the threat of pneumonia. They are inviting the public to take accurate pneumonia prevention steps, namely by vaccination.

"Protecting children from pneumonia is a shared responsibility, and MSD Indonesia is committed to encouraging real preventive efforts, including by expanding education related to preventing this disease," said Managing Director of MSD Indonesia, George Stylianou, in the Pondok Indah area, South Jakarta, on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

"With the spirit of 'Championing the Fight to Stop Pneumonia' which became the theme on World Pneumonia Day 2024, it further strengthens our determination to increase public awareness, so that every family can take appropriate preventive steps, one of which is vaccination," he added.

PCV vaccination is an important step in preventing pneumocococusing bacterial infection, which is the main cause of pneumonia. The use of PCV in children not only reduces bacterial transmission in vaccinated children, but also protects children, adults, and the elderly who have not been vaccinated against pneumococusing.

In Indonesia, the PCV vaccine has been included in the schedule for immunization of children aged 0-18 years recommended by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI). The head of the IDAI Immunization Task Force, Prof. Dr. dr. Hartono Gunardi, Sp.A(K), strongly appealed to parents to ensure that their children receive the PVC vaccine according to schedule for maximum pneumonia prevention.

"With the right vaccination, we not only protect children from severe infection but also reduce the risk of spreading pneumocococusing bacteria in the environment. We strongly urge parents to ensure their children get the PCV vaccine on schedule, to help protect against pneumonia," said dr. Hartono.

In the latest child immunization schedule in 2024, IDAI recommends immunizing PCV at the age of 2, 4 and 6 months with a booster at the age of 12-15 months. If not given at the age of 7-12 months, PCV is given 2 times with a minimum distance of 1 month and a booster at the age of 12-15 months with a distance of 2 months from the previous dose.

If not given at the age of 1-2 years, PCV is given 2 times with a minimum distance of 2 months. If not given at the age of 2-5 years, PCV10 is given 2 times the distance of 2 months, PCV13 or PCV15 is given 1 time.

For children over 5 years of age with high risk and never received the PCV vaccine, it is recommended to receive 1 dose of PCV13 or PCV15. The PCV15 vaccine is on schedule for the latest 2024 child immunization to expand protection against pneumokokus bacteria.

This includes the 22F and 33F serotypes that are not covered by PCV13. With a wider coverage of 15 serotypes, the PCV15 vaccine can provide protection against more pneumokokus bacterial serotypes.