Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) is of the view that inadequate immunization coverage has increased the incidence of pneumococcal disease in children. India leads the chart for pneumonia incidence and mortality in children below 5 years of age and therefore, vaccination is the need of the hour. Malnutrition also leads to infections.

Pneumonia continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children below 5 years. Highlighting the trend of pneumonia, Dr. M Venkatachalapathy, president – Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Bengaluru, said that the  top risk factors for pneumococcal disease in children are inadequate immunization coverage, nutrition, pollution and overcrowding among infants.

Hospitalization and intensive care due to pneumonia can be an economic burden for families and therefore immunization with PCV is recommended. However, since cost can be a factor, we advise parents to go for a suitable vaccine per their economic condition, he added.  

India is one of the five countries contributing to 44% of the world’s pneumonia cases. The government and medical community are taking strong steps towards reducing the pneumonia burden in India. However, pneumonia continues to be a common cause of morbidity and mortality among children below 5 years in India.

The WHO recommends inclusion of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in the national immunization programmes as a priority in countries such as India. Inclusion of PCV in National Immunization Programme has the potential to save 7–8 million cases and 0.3–0.5 million deaths due to pneumonia world over. Though both PCV10 and PCV13 are recommended by the IAP, a recent study from CMC Vellore in children below 5 years concluded that PCV13 shows 74.6% serotype coverage versus 64% for PCV10 in Indian context.

Explaining need for Precautions and surveillance for Pneumonia, Dr. Srinivas S, vice president – IAP Bangalore said that respiratory disease causes more fatalities in children below 5 years than diarrhea. Among respiratory diseases, pneumonia is responsible for approximately 90% mortality. Most common cause of pneumonia is streptococcus pneumonia. Solving malnutrition issue may also help in reducing mortality in children below 5 years.