FG launches Pneumonia Vaccine

In line with President Goodluck Jonathan efforts to reduce
under-5 mortality, the Federal Government has launched a
Pneumonococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV).

The vaccine, which is meant to reduce the incidence of
pneumonia in the country, was launched in Kogi State by the
National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

At the launch, Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada (rtd)
stated that the introduction of the new vaccine was critical
in order to reduce the instances of pneumonia in children.

The Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Ado Muhammad said that Nigeria will reduce childhood deaths to over 600,000 once the nation achieves full coverage with the vaccine, which will enable the nation achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4.

Also at the event were representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN), Clinton Health and Access Initiative, GlaxoSmithKline and other partners in the routine immunisation landscape in Nigeria.

President Jonathan has continued to reiterate the commitment of his administration to the reduction of child mortality. His administration recently received international praise for reducing polio cases from 50 to just 6 within one year.