World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday during the launching of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PVC) said that pneumonia alone claims the lives of approximately 177,000 children yearly in Nigeria, with over 800,000 children under five years of age dying from pneumococcal diseases globally. Most affected are below two years of age especially in developing countries.
WHO Country Representative, Dr. Rui Vaz, who made the disclosure yesterday in Lokoja pointed out that the death rate may be up to 20 percent for pneumonia and as high as 50 percent for meningitis.
“In Nigeria, pneumonia alone claims the lives of approximately 177,000 children under five years annually."
The PCV prevents diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria while its introduction into the country EPI will improve the child health outcome of the country and accelerate the progress of the country towards achieving the MDG4 Goal of reduction of infants mortality rate by 2015.
Dr. Tsho Musao, a representative said WHO has just concluded assessment of the country’s PCV readiness to be introduce in 11 states of the country in 2015, assuring that it will continue to provide the technical in all the phases of PCV introduction in the country at all level of government.
Credit: NAN
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