200,000 Nigerian children die annually from pneumonia

LAGOS, Jan. 25 (Chinese media) -- Medical experts under the aegis of Pediatric Association of Nigeria at the weekend deplored the non-immunisation of Nigerian babies against pneumonia, noting that 200,000 of the 6 million Nigerian children, who contract pneumonia every year, die as a result of the disease.

According to the Guardian report on Sunday, the group of experts at a press conference in Ibadan, Oyo State capital represented by its President of the association William Ogala, specifically lamented the non-inclusion of Haemophilus Influenza Type B, also known as the Hib vaccine in the nation's National Program on Immunisation (NPI).

While describing the situation as worrisome, the association noted that many African and Asian countries with lesser population and resources have started using the Hib vaccine in their Immunization program.

Ogala said the federal government action at the conference organized as part of activities marking the 40th Annual General Scientific Conference of the association negates the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), which stated that all developing countries should include the vaccine in their NPIs.

He explained that the life threatening pneumonia, caused by two bacteria, Hib and pneumococus, could be prevented through immunization.

"The Hib vaccine is safe, effective and available now, but Nigeria has not started to use it. Many other African countries have adopted the Hib vaccine, and have prevented child deaths from pneumonia," Said Ogala who maintained that preventing childhood pneumonia is critical to reducing death of children less than five years.