Kano – The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), on Monday, said the Federal Government would introduce Pneumococcal vaccine in October for children against pneumonia.
Dr Abdullahi Bulama, the North-West Zonal Coordinator of the Agency, made this known in an interview in Kano.
Pneumococcal vaccine will protect against severe infection of a bacteria called pneumonia when given to children.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia says “pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting primarily the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli
“It is usually caused by infection with viruses or bacteria and less commonly other microorganisms, certain drugs and other conditions such as autoimmune diseases.
“Typical symptoms include cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty in breathing.”
Bulama said that the new vaccine was extremely effective, though expensive.
The coordinator said that the Agency would support the states in the provision of cold chain and other storage facilities to store the vaccine.
According to him, the Agency aims at providing solar refrigerators in every ward in the country.
“So far, we have started with 1,165 and more will soon be made available.
The zonal coordinator commended the Federal Government for the commitment in effective healthcare delivery for Nigerians, saying that healthcare was a priority in the transformation agenda of the present administration.
Bulama said that the government had purchased effective vaccines in the past which made diseases like meningitis and measles to become history in the country.
He urged corporate organisations and individuals to support the various activities of the Agency. (NAN)
by ROTMANLUV 2023-07-08, 17:34
