Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) programme was launched in the state of Karnataka, on November 12, 2021.

Key Points

• PCV programme was launched under the universal immunisation programme on the occasion of ‘World Pneumonia Day’.
• It was launched with the aim of spreading awareness and reducing pneumonia induced mortality & morbidity among children.
• Programme was launched by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at KIMS, Hubballi on October 22, 2021.

Bacterial pneumonia

Pneumococcal is the name of group of diseases which are caused by bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main cause of bacterial pneumonia in children aged under five years. Young children, elderly, and those with suppressed immune system or those who are malnourished are at the increased risk of getting infected to pneumococcal disease.

Pneumonia disease in India

In India, there are an estimated 1.2 million children who die before completed the age 5 while 15.9% of deaths are the result of pneumonia.