Pneumococcal vaccine prevents 90% risk of severe pneumonia; It is free in the Health sector

Nathan Rivera

12/11/2023

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The pneumococcal vaccine prevents 90 percent of the risk to develop severe pneumonia in people with more vulnerability, reported the head of Clinical Service number 4 of Hospitalization of the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) “Ismael Cosío Villegas” of the Ministry of Health, Ricardo Stanley Vega Barrientos.

He indicated that pneumococcal vaccine It is safe and effective in preventing the disease, so it should be applied to girls and boys at two, four and six months, with a booster between 12 and 15 months; to people between five and 59 years old with a chronic disease, and older adults, who must be immunized every five years.

He highlighted that the pneumococcus vaccine is free in all medical units of the Health sector and is part of the National Vaccination Scheme.

Cases of pneumonia occur mainly in older adults, children under five years of age, or people with chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, heart disease, liver, kidney, or heart problems, or those with a weak immune system.

He explained that girls and boys under five years of age are more predisposed to developing pneumonia due to their immature immune system, while older adults, due to aging, experience physiological changes that affect innate and adaptive immunity.

The specialist assured that the pneumococcus bacteria is transmitted from person to person through aerosols that come from the environment from an infected person. It can be in the throat and nose and from there it travels to the respiratory system.

He indicated that pneumonia can also develop due to complications of COVID-19 or influenza and some patients require mechanical ventilation, intensive therapy and respiratory support.

At the INER, approximately 900 cases are treated per year, but during the pandemic, 1,600 patients were treated annually for pneumonia due to COVID-19.

The treatment of pneumonia due to bacteria is based on antibiotics; However, if it is a complication due to influenza, it should be treated with antivirals. In some cases it is necessary to provide supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation.

He stated that data from the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) indicates that in Mexico in 2021, 127 thousand new cases of pneumonia were diagnosed, which occurred in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, but not exclusively due to the health emergency. .

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that pneumonia is a type of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. These organs are made up of small sacs called alveoli that, in healthy people, fill with air when breathing, but in patients with pneumonia they fill with pus and fluid, which causes pain when breathing and limits oxygen absorption.

Pneumonia is the leading single cause of childhood mortality in the world, with 740,180 deaths in children under five years of age in 2019, which represented 14 percent of all deaths in that age range.

The head of Pulmonology and Inhalotherapy at the Juárez de México Hospital (HJM) of the Ministry of Health, Guillermo Martínez Cuevas, highlighted that pneumonia is the main cause of death in people over 65 years of age, and in recent months cases have increased in pediatric and infant patients.

The epidemiological surveillance carried out by the HJM allows the exact diagnosis of COVID-19, influenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, or metapneumovirus, all of which cause pneumonia.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) promotes the commemoration of World Pneumonia Day on November 12, with the aim of raising awareness among the population about this public health problem and helping to prevent the avoidable loss of millions of lives due to this sickness.

The pneumococcal vaccine prevents 90% risk of severe pneumonia; It is free in the Health sector appeared first in El Arsenal.

Author Profile

Nathan Rivera
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nathan Rivera, a dedicated journalist who has had the privilege of writing for the online newspaper Today90. My journey in the world of journalism has been a testament to the power of dedication, integrity, and passion.

My story began with a relentless thirst for knowledge and an innate curiosity about the events shaping our world. I graduated with honors in Investigative Journalism from a renowned university, laying the foundation for what would become a fulfilling career in the field.

What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth. I refuse to settle for superficial answers or preconceived narratives. Instead, I constantly challenge the status quo, delving deep into complex issues to reveal the reality beneath the surface. My dedication to investigative journalism has uncovered numerous scandals and shed light on issues others might prefer to ignore.

I am also a staunch advocate for press freedom. I have tirelessly fought to protect the rights of journalists and have faced significant challenges in my quest to inform the public truthfully and without constraints. My courage in defending these principles serves as an example to all who believe in the power of journalism to change the world.

Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for my outstanding work in journalism. My investigations have changed policies, exposed corruption, and given a voice to those who had none. My commitment to truth and justice makes me a beacon of hope in a world where misinformation often prevails.

At Today90, I continue to be a driving force behind journalistic excellence. My tireless dedication to fair and accurate reporting is an invaluable asset to the editorial team. My biography is a living testament to the importance of journalism in our society and a reminder that a dedicated journalist can make a difference in the world.

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