To win war against pneumonia, more adults need to get vaccinated

Vaccination has been one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions in history.

Pneumonia is one of these vaccine-preventable diseases, causing substantial burden due to ill-health or early death. Recent data has shown pneumococcal disease has been causing about 1.6 million deaths annually globally which is more than those caused by flu, malaria or HIV/Aids.

In Kenya, since the introduction of the adult vaccines, great strides have been made in trying to improve access to these lifesaving vaccines. However, significant gaps in adult pneumococcal vaccine coverage still remain a challenge.

So what is the missing link? Lack of advocacy, poor partnership between public and private health stakeholders and patient reluctance to take up preventative measures are some of the factors.

The value of vaccination cannot be overstated. Literature effectively captures some benefits of adult pneumococcal vaccination—notably, health gains and healthcare cost savings.

Effects of Covid-19

The community can experience herd effects. Slowed pace of antimicrobial resistance can also be prevented, through vaccination. For these benefits to become a reality, we must all take responsibility.

We celebrated World Pneumonia Day on November 12 and we must be cognisant of the effects of Covid-19.

The pandemic should not make us lose sight of our previous vaccination efforts.

As healthcare stakeholders, we must do what we can, with what we have, as we wait to see what the future holds towards combating vaccine-preventable diseases. As doctors, we must make recommendations for vaccines to patients.