JAKARTA, Waspada.co.id – Pneumonia is a disease that can be prevented and treated. Ironically, UNICEF notes that one child dies from pneumonia every 43 seconds worldwide, making it the leading cause of infant and child deaths more than AIDS, malaria and measles all together. Meanwhile in Indonesia, pneumonia is the cause of 14.5% of deaths in infants and 5% of deaths in children under five years of age.
Commemorating World Pneumonia Day, PT Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) Indonesia (trade name Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA) held an educational discussion featuring Prof. Dr. Cissy Kartasasmita, Sp.A (K), M. Sc, PhD, Respirology Consultant Pediatrician; Prof. DR. Dr. Soedjatmiko, SpA(K), MSi., Pediatrician, Child Growth and Development Consultant and Master of Science in Developmental Psychology; George Stylianou, Managing Director of MSD Indonesia, and dr. Ariska Putri Pertiwi, Public Figure. This activity is MSD’s effort to continue to encourage the expansion of public understanding and awareness, especially parents, about the importance of complete PCV vaccination in children.
Managing Director of MSD Indonesia, George Stylianou, in his speech stated that on World Pneumonia Day this time, his party invited the Indonesian people, especially parents, to #PreventChildren’sPneumonia, one of which is through vaccination. MSD Indonesia is committed to continuing to actively contribute to improving the quality of life of people around the world and especially in Indonesia.
“We believe that increasing public awareness and literacy regarding pneumonia can prevent additional cases of childhood pneumonia in Indonesia, and can create a healthy Indonesia,” he said.
Respirology Consultant Pediatrician, Prof. Dr. Cissy Kartasasmita, Sp.A (K), M.Sc, PhD said that pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs which is mainly caused by germ infections. Various bacteria and viruses can cause pneumonia, according to research and reports the main cause of bacterial pneumonia is pneumococcus.
The early symptoms of pneumonia are difficult to distinguish from other respiratory diseases such as cough, fever and shortness of breath, so they are often missed. Various risk factors influence the occurrence and severity of pneumonia, such as malnutrition, low birth weight, not getting exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, incomplete immunization, cigarette smoke and air pollution inside and outside the home, weather changes, cold weather, and so on. . Pneumonia needs to be prevented and treated immediately.
“If left untreated, the impact can be dangerous and even cause death. That is why pneumonia is called the silent killer for children under five years old. “It is important for parents to recognize the various symptoms and risk factors for pneumonia that have been mentioned,” he explained.
On the same occasion, Prof. Dr. Soedjatmiko, SpA(K) MSi Pediatrician, Child Growth and Development Consultant and Master of Science in Developmental Psychology stated,
For parents, don’t underestimate pneumonia in children because it can have an impact on the child’s growth in the long term. Parents need to take various preventive steps.
Five steps parents need to take to #PreventPneumoniaChildren, among others:
1. Providing exclusive breast milk and complementary breast milk food (MPASI) with sufficient animal and vegetable protein;
2. Avoid exposing children to people who are coughing and colds, pollution from cigarette smoke, stoves, vehicles, burning rubbish and street dust;
3. Maintain air circulation in the house;
4. Wear a mask in places where there is a lot of smoke and dust pollution; And
5. Complete immunizations from infancy, especially PCV.
He continued, the Indonesian government continues to strive to protect children from pneumonia. Since 2022, PCV13 vaccination to prevent pneumonia has been included in the National Immunization Program, meaning that every baby aged 2 months, 3 months and 12 months can receive a vaccine to prevent pneumonia for free.
Technological advances have resulted in a new PCV15 vaccine with broader protection because it provides additional protection for two serotypes that are dangerous for infants and children. PCV15 has been clinically proven to be safe and useful for protecting 15 dangerous pneumococcal serotypes, so it has received a distribution permit from the POM Agency for use throughout Indonesia.
“Therefore, for those who want to get broader protection, there is no need to hesitate, immediately ask for PCV15 vaccination from a doctor or pediatrician in a private health service,” emphasized Prof. DR. Dr. Soedjatmiko, SpA(K), MSi. “Apart from preventing pneumonia, PCV vaccination can also prevent other diseases, such as inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis), blood infections (bacteremia) and ear inflammation (otitis) caused by pneumococcal bacteria,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ariska Putri Pertiwi welcomed the presence of the PCV 15 vaccine which enriches parents’ choices for protecting children against pneumonia. As a mother, your child’s health is of course a priority.
“I also make various efforts to prevent my little one from various diseases, starting from maintaining nutrition, cleanliness, to giving vaccines that are recommended for children. The presence of a vaccine with broader protection, and able to protect your little one from various types of infections caused by dangerous pneumococcus bacteria is certainly the main choice for me and my family. “I believe that providing PCV vaccination can be one of the best efforts to maintain your little one’s health,” he said.
Through education and intervention in the form of giving children the complete PCV vaccine, it is hoped that it can produce a comprehensive positive impact in the fight against pneumonia. Let’s #PreventChildren’sPneumonia, to build a healthier Indonesian generation. (wool/ari/d1)
2023-11-06 09:16:39
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