Context:

• Recently, the pneumococcalvaccine developed by Serum Institute of India, Pune.
• It has been pre-qualified by WHO making it all set to be cheaper and more effective than the one that is currently in use.

Basics of Vaccines:

• The pneumococcal vaccine developed by Serum Institute is a conjugate vaccine.
• Whenever our body is encountered with microbial infection, the immune system responds by releasing antibodies to fight these microbes.
• Further if the body encounters the same microbial infection in the future, the immune system immediately responds making the microbe ineffective providing protection for infections.
• Thus, vaccines are used to generate immune responses from the body in order to fight infections.

Background:

• Pneumococcal vaccine has been introduced as a part of Universal Immunisation Programme since 2017.
• Currently in India pneumococcal vaccine regimen is 2 primary doses at 6 and 10 weeks and a booster dose at nine months of age.
• According to a report by UNICEF, India ranks second, after Nigeria, in incidence of child pneumonia with 1.27 lakh cases in 2018

About Pneumonia:

• It is a respiratory infection in which alveoli, instead of air, is filled with pus and fluid making it difficult to breath and thus limiting oxygen intake.
• It is the largest cause of mortality in children due to infectious disease.
• About 15% of all deaths of under-5 children occur due to Pneumonia.
• It is an infectious disease that can be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi.
• Most common infectious agent that causes Pneumonia in children is a bacterium known as Streptococcus pneumonia.
• Malnutrition is the leading cause for pneumonia. Other illnesses, such as HIV infections and measles also increase the risk of contracting pneumonia.
• Indoor air pollution caused by cooking and heating with biomass fuels, and Parental smoking.

About Prevention and Treatment:

• Immunization of rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccine
• Adequate nutrition including ORS, Vitamin A and Zinc supplementation
• Exclusive breastfeeding for 1st 6 months and complimentary feeding thereafter
• Tackling indoor air pollution and Administering Antibiotics