Key Advancements: Over 60% of Older Adults in Panama Receive Pneumococcus Vaccine, Significantly Reducing Pneumonia Cases

60% of older adults are vaccinated with the Pneumococcus vaccine.

CORPRENSAIn Panama more than 60% of older adults are vaccinated with the Pneumococcus vaccine. Photo/File

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Itzel de Hewitt, coordinator of the Expanded Immunization Program (EPI), highlighted the notable advances in the fight against pneumonia in Panama during the last decade. Hewitt stressed that the systematic application of the pneumococcus vaccine has been key to significantly reducing cases of this respiratory disease.

“With the application of this vaccine we have been removing pneumonia from among the 10 main causes of death in the elderly population and complications from this disease,” said Hewitt, highlighting the crucial contribution of the vaccine in improving the health of the population.

Dr. Rafael Rodríguez, internal medicine physician and pulmonologist, was the event’s keynote speaker and shared shocking data about the importance of the vaccine in preventing pneumonia. Rodríguez emphasized that pneumonia has become the main cause of death from infectious diseases, and that vaccines, such as pneumococcus, play a fundamental role in reducing the incidence of this disease in the population.

According to the statistics presented by Dr. Rodríguez, mortality from pneumonia in Panama reaches up to 11% in patients over 50 years of age. This underlines the severity of the disease and the importance of preventive measures, such as vaccination.

As part of his recommendations, Dr. Rodríguez urged the population to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as not smoking, maintaining adequate nutrition, practicing good oral hygiene, reducing alcohol consumption and, crucially, receiving recommended vaccines.

2023-12-15 17:00:57
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