Pakistan has seen a notable increase in pneumonia cases, with children being the most affected, as the nation struggles with the current cold wave and smog.
The most populous state in Pakistan, Punjab, has seen a surge in pneumonia cases, with over 18,000 cases and 300 deaths recorded in January alone. This is because the country’s dry, harsh winters have made youngsters more susceptible to respiratory infections.
The announcement coincides with the province government’s efforts to protect kids by extending school breaks, reducing class hours, and enforcing face mask use. Nevertheless, hundreds more cases are admitted daily to the Children’s Hospital in Lahore.
Although the country provides free vaccinations against respiratory diseases at six, ten, and fourteen weeks of age, increasing vaccine uptake has always been a challenge.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Awan, the director of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), has advised parents to make sure that children younger than two receive the full course of vaccinations.
Awan did note that the current viral pneumonia was not entirely treatable with the current vaccines. Speaking about the supplies that are on hand, Dr. Mukhtar made it clear that there is a enough supply of pneumonia vaccination shots that can be given to adults and children alike.
“Vaccines against pneumonia are not sold locally, but they cannot be imported into Pakistan without the government’s prior approval. Only vaccines for children are imported by the government from other nations,” the director of EPI stated.
