In commemoration of the 2012 World Pneumonia Day, the Delta government is partnering with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals to distribute pneumococcal vaccine ?(PCV 13) to children under five at the flood camps.
This is contained in a statement signed by Maggie Olele, Head, Communication & Public Affairs, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), pneumococcal disease is one of the leading vaccine-preventable causes of deaths in children under five in Nigeria.
The statement states that the partnership will focus on awareness prevention to reduce the impact of pneumonia as well as vaccinate 2,000 children with the PCV 13 in three flood camps.
“Pneumococcal vaccine offers a viable way to combat antibiotic-resistant strains of pneumococcal disease, especially in camp environment situation.’’
The statement also says that Delta State Government has commenced the construction of the Integrated Mother and Child Care Centres in various locations.
The statement quotes Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan as saying that the state has pioneered innovative health initiatives that has reduce mortality reduction of under?five ?through the free medical programs.
“This is charting the course towards the attainment of Millennium development goals with a proactive plan to reduce the incidence of morbidity and death at the camps.
?“Pfizer’s collaboration with Delta State Government through the Ministry of Health on World Pneumonia Day is pertinent at this time to ameliorate the scourge of the pneumonia disease.”
The statement also states that vaccination will take place in Asaba, Kwale and Isoko camps, areas where the impact of the flood disaster was immense.
Enrico Liggeri, Country Manager Pfizer, stressed that Pfizer remained committed to partnering with host communities towards a healthier world?by providing and increasing access to live-saving medicines for vulnerable groups.
The World Pneumonia Day was established in April 2009 to reinforce pneumonia disease as a serious public health issue and prevent millions of avoidable deaths among children from pneumonia. (NAN)