Coimbatore, Nov. 10
Claiming that around 5.6 lakh children below five years have been affected by pneumonia in the Country, members of the Coimbatore branch of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics have pleaded for the early implementation of vaccinating all children below five years as a preventive measure.
Based on a report from 2015, the number of children affected by this bacteria in Tamil Nadu was 11,500, according to doctors.
Briefing media here on Thursday, which is World Pneumonia Day, Dr.M. Ismail, President of the Coimbatore Chapter of IAP, said that despite having the required vaccine , vaccination started very late in India compared with other countries.
“We have started vaccinating children only from March and plan to complete 90 per cent of the vaccination programme all over the country by the end of 2018,” he added.
Pointing out that the deaths caused by the streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria is one third of the total deaths in the world, Dr. Ismail said that PCV 13 vaccination would help prevent the disease.
“Close to 21 lakh children are to be vaccinated this year with the help of United Nations Scheme. The association is also involved in various awareness campaigns to educate parents,” the doctor added.
Dr. Jayasree, another member of the association, advised that mothers should breastfeed their babies at least for six months to increase their immunity. “Keeping the babies clean is also very important and their hands and feet should be cleaned periodically,” added Dr. Jayasree.
Claiming that around 5.6 lakh children below five years have been affected by pneumonia in the Country, members of the Coimbatore branch of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics have pleaded for the early implementation of vaccinating all children below five years as a preventive measure.
Based on a report from 2015, the number of children affected by this bacteria in Tamil Nadu was 11,500, according to doctors.
Briefing media here on Thursday, which is World Pneumonia Day, Dr.M. Ismail, President of the Coimbatore Chapter of IAP, said that despite having the required vaccine , vaccination started very late in India compared with other countries.
“We have started vaccinating children only from March and plan to complete 90 per cent of the vaccination programme all over the country by the end of 2018,” he added.
Pointing out that the deaths caused by the streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria is one third of the total deaths in the world, Dr. Ismail said that PCV 13 vaccination would help prevent the disease.
“Close to 21 lakh children are to be vaccinated this year with the help of United Nations Scheme. The association is also involved in various awareness campaigns to educate parents,” the doctor added.
Dr. Jayasree, another member of the association, advised that mothers should breastfeed their babies at least for six months to increase their immunity. “Keeping the babies clean is also very important and their hands and feet should be cleaned periodically,” added Dr. Jayasree.