What is Pneumococcal Vaccine?
Source : PIB
GS II : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

What is discussed under What is Pneumococcal Vaccine?

1. Pneumococcal Vaccine?
2. About Pneumonia
3. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)

Why in News ?

A recent media report in a national daily has claimed shortage of Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine across the country.

What is Pneumococcal Vaccine?

• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) was introduced by Govt. of India in 2017 in a phased manner across the most affected five

  

  states of India viz., Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

• Thereafter, the PCV under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) has been expanded throughout the country.
• Any illness brought on by pneumococcal bacteria is referred to as pneumococcal disease.
• Numerous ailments, including pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, can be brought on by these germs. One of the most prevalent causes of pneumonia is pneumococcal bacteria.
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine helps protect against bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease.
• Pneumococcal illness can affect anybody, although the risk is greater in children under 2 years old, those with specific medical disorders or other risk factors, and people 65 years or older.

About Pneumonia

• Pneumonia caused by pneumococcus is the most common cause of severe pneumonia in children.
• An illness called pneumonia causes the air sacs in one or both lungs to become inflamed.
• The air sacs may swell with fluid or pus (purulent material), which can lead to a cough that produces pus or phlegm, a fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
• Causes : A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.
• Signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, Chest pain, Cough, Fatigue, Shortness of breath etc.
• In India around 16 percent of deaths in Children occur due to pneumonia.
• The nationwide rollout of PCV will reduce child mortality by around 60 percent.
• Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among children under-5 years old, globally and in India.

Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)

• One of the largest public health programmes targeting close to 26.7 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women annually.
• Under UIP, immunization is being provided free of cost against 12 vaccine preventable diseases:
  • Nationally against 10 diseases – Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis, Rotavirus diarrhea, Hepatitis B and Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by Haemophilus Influenzae type B
  • Sub-nationally against 2 diseases – Pneumococcal Pneumonia and Japanese Encephalitis; of which Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine is nationally expanded today, while JE vaccine is provided only in endemic districts.

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