BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

THE need for parents to know that the burden of pneumonia and other pneumococcal disorders in children aged five years and below, can be prevented with the help of vaccines through vaccination, was the high point of activities during the Language, Art and Cultural day event of Chrisland School, VGC, Lagos, recently.

The event which held on the school premises in collaboration with Pfizer Specialities, Nigeria, was aimed at educating parents and guardians about the essence of vaccinating their children so as to protect them from pneumococcal disorders.

Pupils and teachers of Chrisland School VGC, Lagos, with Pfizer executives during the School‘s Art and Cultural Day & Pfizer campaign for prevention of pneumonia, held in Lagos.

According to a paediatrician who spoke to parents during the event, pneumococcal disorders are the world’s No.1 cause of vaccine preventable deaths among children below age 5. “This is why it is important for us to speak to parents in an event organised by schools like this so they can protect their children and help spread the message.

“Pneumococcal infections can be prevented with vaccination, and since a potent and affordable pneumococcal vaccine is available , it is important that parents are aware of the need to get their children immunised.”

According to her, every 20 seconds, a child dies from pneumonia. “Many of these deaths are preventable through vaccination and appropriate treatment.”

She described pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can cause mild to severe illness.

She argued that access to vaccines and treatment can help prevent many pneumonia-related deaths. “Pfizer is also working to prevent pneumonia in Nigera by encouraging good hygiene practices.”

She added that the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for all children less than 59 months old.

In a statement, Mr Ben Greyling, Head of the School, commended the initiative by Pfizer. His words: “Parents can actively reduce the risk of their children by ensuring they are vaccinated. We know pneumonia can be prevented with vaccines and following good hygiene practices can also help prevent respiratory infections.”

Globally each year, pneumonia kills more than 1.5 million children younger than 5 years of age. In Africa, Nigeria has the highest number of childhood deaths and the second highest in the world, so having a preventable vaccine is expected to surely lead to a reduction in the number of deathsamong children aged five years and below.