Pneumonia surge in Bengaluru kids! Doctors urge parents 'only vaccine can save your child'

On the occasion of World Pneumonia Day on Wednesday, paediatric and pulmonary specialists have stressed on the importance of flu and pneumococcal shots calling them the most effective guard against severe respiratory illness that children suffer from.

Dr Anupama Menon, Consultant, Pediatric Pulmonology, Rainbow Children’s Hospital said as quoted by The New Indian Express, "Vaccinated children have far better protection. A vaccinated child may only have a mild episode manageable at home, while an unvaccinated child often ends up needing hospital or even ICU care."

"Parents vaccinate religiously in the first year, but after that, they slip. That gap directly increases the severity of infections," said Dr Srikanta JT, Consultant – Paediatric Interventional Pulmonology, Aster RV Hospital as quoted by the daily.

While some doctors blame it on post-festival pollution coupled with crowds, others say the delay in treatment aggravates the situation.

On the World Pneumonia Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed some of the necessary steps that should be taken to combat pneumonia.

Scale up prevention: Ensure all children have access to essential vaccines such as those for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcus, measles, and pertussis. Promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, adequate nutrition, and environments free from tobacco smoke and indoor air pollution.

Strengthen primary health care: Equip health workers with the tools and training to recognize and manage pneumonia early.

Promote equity and accountability: Monitor progress, close gaps in access to vaccines, oxygen, and care, and integrate pneumonia control into broader child-health, ageing, and environmental health programmes.

Increase access to oxygen: Ensure that every health facility – especially in low-resource settings – has reliable access to medical oxygen, pulse oximetry, and the supplies and training needed to use them safely.