Pneumonia vaccination in adults stressed

Chestcon 2012, the 10th Biennial Conference of the Pakistan Chest Society (PCS), was held at a local hotel in Karachi, where pneumonia and its complications were declared the number one cause of vaccine preventable deaths globally.
Experts said pneumonia is considered a major public health issue around the world and the problem is even more complicated in developing countries like Pakistan.
“Sadly, pneumonia is still a companion of the old man in our country, a disease for which treatment is often costly and needlessly uncomfortable,” said PCS Chairman Prof Nadim Rizvi.
He highlighted the fact that vaccines are only considered essential in children, which is fast turning into a common misconception as adult vaccination becomes stronger and more effective.
“As experts in the field of pulmonology, or chest medicine, it is our job to educate patients about the available means of prevention against deadly chest diseases like pneumonia, of which Pakistan bears a significant burden,” said Rizvi, who has worked on a number of guidelines on treatment of deadly chest diseases like asthma, tuberculosis and pneumonia.
People who are younger than 5 years or older than 50 years are at increased risk of catching pneumonia, he added.
Later, Rizvi administered a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which offers long-term protection, to renowned celebrity and social activist Sajid Hassan, who volunteered as a gesture of support to the concept of adult immunisation.
When asked why he was getting vaccinated, Hassan said, “As public figures, I think it’s our responsibility to increase awareness regarding prevention of deadly diseases in adults. It’s a fact that older people are an easy victim of pneumonia, often resulting in death. I had myself vaccinated because I want to save myself from 13 most common strains of pneumonia.”