The PCV10 pneumonia vaccine was recently introduced in Nigeria to help prevent the illness among children. While currently available for purchase, the government will soon cover the costs so all parents can access it. Pneumonia is the second leading killer of children in Nigeria and also threatens the elderly. In addition to the vaccine, a well-balanced diet, breastfeeding, and improved diagnosis at the community level are critical to protecting children from pneumonia according to an epidemiologist working with IVAC and the Nigerian government.

2.  This past December, the PCV10 pneumonia vaccine was
introduced to Nigeria, bringing to the nation a critical key
in preventing the illness among children. The vaccine is
available for purchase, but the government will soon be
covering the associated costs so all parents can take
advantage.
The Guardian recently interviewed Dr. Chizoba Wonodi,
an epidemiologist and program leader at the Johns
Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC). She
noted that pneumonia is the second-leading killer of
children in Nigeria and is also a major threat to the elderly.
For this reason, IVAC works closely with the Nigerian
government to distribute this and other vaccines as widely
as possible.

3.  In addition to the vaccine, Dr. Wonodi noted other
measures that people can take to shield their
children from pneumonia. Two of the most important
include a well-balanced diet and breastfeeding,
which allows a mother to share her protective
antibodies with her children.
Dr. Wonodi also stressed the need for improved
pneumonia diagnosis at the community level. In its
early stages, pneumonia resembles malaria, so the
disease is often misdiagnosed by parents and
therefore treated improperly. Educational efforts to
correct this, along with the vaccine regimen, will save
many children's lives.