A controversial study by Gertrude’s children hospital has revealed that the popular Pneumonia vaccine administered to infants is not effective and it’s to blame for the rising cases of the chronic disease in the country.

According to the study, which was conducted by researchers from Gertrude’s, the Agakhan University, Kenyatta University and Embu University, the pneumonia vaccine ( PCV-10) does not protect children against the local strain of the killer disease.

“This is a very important finding as it explains the high level of child illness and deaths from pneumonia despite the availability of the PCV-10,” the study reads in part.

DEADLIEST CHILDHOOD DISEASE

Pneumonia accounts for the highest number of deaths in children below five years.
Children in Kenya receive the PCV10 vaccine, which was introduced in 2011 with the aim of protecting against 10 strains of the bacteria that cause pneumonia, at 6,10 & 14 weeks of age.

PNEUMONIA NOW BIGGEST KILLER DISEASE IN KENYA
The 2018 Economic survey revealed that Pneumonia killed more people in Kenya in 2017 than any other disease.
According to the survey, Pneumonia accounted for 22.0 per cent (21,584) of the major causes of deaths in 2017 followed by malaria (17,553) and cancer (16,953).

PNEUMONIA CAUSES/SYMPTOMS
Pneumonia is inflammation of the airspaces in the lungs, most commonly due to an infection. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi; less frequently by other causes.
symptoms of pneumonia include; fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and
fatigue.