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The first indigenous vaccine against pneumonia, developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), will be launched

Pneumonia

• Infectious agents may include bacteria, viruses and fungi.
• Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in children, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is the second most common cause of bacterial pneumonia.
• Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common viral cause of pneumonia.
• Air sacs in an infected individual’s lungs (alveoli) become inflamed due to deposits of fluid and pus, making it painful and difficult for them to breathe.
• Pneumococcal disease is a significant contributor to the under-five mortality rate worldwide.

About pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23)

• It protects against pneumococcal infections.
• PPSV23 protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
• The vaccine will provide effective and long-lasting protection for children against pneumococcal diseases.
• The vaccine makes the Serum Institute the world's third supplier of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) under the pneumococcal Advance Market Commitment (AMC), and the first developing country vaccine manufacturer to access the global PCV market.

Source: The Hindu