KARACHI, (MILLAT/APP): Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV-10)
is found to be 70 percent effective in protecting local children from
ten strains of pneumonia and meningitis.
A four-year study conducted by Aga Khan University (AKU) about
the impact of PCV-10, incorporated in the country’s door-to-door
routine immunization programme, found that the vaccine prevents
children from contracting deadly strains of the two diseases.
Commenting on the findings of the research, Dr Asad Ali,
Associate. prof and director of research in paediatrics at AKU on Moday
mentioned that pneumonia is the leading cause of death in infant.
“Our study clearly demonstrates the value of making this vaccine
available to every child and puts forward new recommendations that
will extend the reach of the vaccine to every child, in rural and
urban parts of the country,” he said.
Pakistan is the first country in South Asia to introduce the
PCV-10 vaccine against pneumonia and meningitis into its routine as
well as special immunization days’ programme.
The study, funded by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and
Immunization (GAVI) investigated the impact of PCV-10 in Karachi,
Hyderabad, Matiari and Thatta.
In addition to studying the vaccines’ effectiveness, AKU
researchers also analysed factors affecting the coverage of the
vaccine in Thatta and Tando Muhammad Khan, two rural districts of
Sindh – the province with one of the lowest rates of immunization
coverage.