Despite the fact that free vaccination for Pneumonia is available in Pakistan, the preventable disease is killing as many as 92,000 children under five years of age annually, a statement issued by the leading paediatricians to mark the upcoming World Pneumonia Day revealed. According to the World Health Organization estimates, pneumonia accounts for 16 per cent of the total child deaths, making it the leading killer of children less than five years of age globally. An estimated 99 percent of the children who die of pneumonia live in the developing countries. “Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. Children under five with severe cases of pneumonia may struggle to breathe, with their chests moving in or retracting during inhalation. Young infants may suffer convulsions, unconsciousness, hypothermia, lethargy and feeding problem, “Dr Tabish Hazir, former head of paediatrics at PIMS, said. “Pneumonia is caused by a number of infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. The most common bacterial causes of pneumonia amongst children include: Streptococcus Pneumonia and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib),”he added. “Preventing children from developing pneumonia in the first place is critical to reduce the death toll. Fortunately, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (pneumonia vaccine) was introduced in Pakistan’s EPI program in October, 2012, and this achievement helped Pakistan become the first South Asian country to include PCV in its national immunization program,” Hazir said. “Proper nutrition, clean drinking water and vaccines are important to fight pneumonia. Vaccines against pneumococcus, Hib, pertussis, and measles can prevent a significant portion of pneumonia cases from ever occurring,” said Dr Rai Asghar, dean of paediatrics at Rawalpindi Medical University and Allied Hospital. He said preventing pneumonia averts treatment costs and other loses due to illness, and allows children to become healthy and productive adults. “Every stakeholder including media, doctors and advocacy groups will have to play their role to increase awareness and stress the need of vaccination to help prevent our future generation from this deadly disease,” he said. Published in Daily Times, November 11th 2018.