World Pneumonia Day sees launch of prevention campaign by major stakeholders

06 Dec 2023 byPank Jit Sin
World Pneumonia Day sees launch of prevention campaign by major stakeholders

The recent World Pneumonia Day saw the introduction of the ‘Prevent Pneumococcal Pneumonia’ (PPP) campaign. The campaign is a collaborative effort by six medical organizations namely Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy (MSIDC), Malaysian Thoracic Society (MTS), Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine (MSGM), Malaysian Society of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases (MyICID) and the Malaysian Family Medicine Specialists’ Association (FMSA).

This initiative emphasizes the crucial need for vaccinating the elderly and adults with higher health risks against pneumococcal infections, a common cause of pneumonia. During the campaign launch, Professor Dr Zamberi Sekawi, the chairman of the initiative, noted that pneumonia ranks among the top three causes of death in Malaysia for over 10 years, with roughly 10 percent of male and female deaths in 2021 attributed to it. He pointed out that pneumococcal bacteria are responsible for around 27 percent of pneumonia cases globally and are particularly threatening to young children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. Despite the historical focus on safeguarding children from this illness, Zamberi highlighted the often-overlooked susceptibility of adults to pneumococcal pneumonia.

Zamberi emphasized that vaccination is one of the most effective methods to protect adults with underlying medical conditions and the elderly from pneumococcal pneumonia. Therefore, the primary objective of the PPP initiative is to advocate for the widespread administration of pneumococcal vaccination among the general public and healthcare professionals, with a particular emphasis on high-risk adults and the elderly. He said: “PPP activities that are targeted at healthcare professionals includes publication of pneumococcal vaccination recommendations, on-site interactive trainings, and online courses. Activities to raise awareness among the public includes a social media campaign to promote a one-stop pneumococcal pneumonia information website which incorporates a pneumococcal vaccination clinic directory.”

Dr Cheah Wee Kooi, Head of Internal Medicine, Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), also spoke at the gathering. He noted that the effects of vaccination are two-fold—it reduces the danger of antimicrobial resistance in addition to protecting against the disease. Indeed, the observance of World Antimicrobial Resistance Week coincides with World Pneumonia Day in November. Research has indicated that pneumococcal isolates from Malaysia exhibit a high prevalence of antibiotic resistance.

Consequently, MOH initiated the administration of pneumococcal vaccination to all Malaysian infants born since 2018. Furthermore, for vaccination expenditures involving oneself, one’s spouse, or children, the government offers tax relief of up to RM1,000. Cheah also congratulated the members supporting the PPP initiative and is convinced it will contribute towards increasing the knowledge on the critical nature of pneumococcal vaccination among vulnerable individuals in the nation.

According to Associate Professor Dr Pang Yong Kek, Co-chairman of PPP, it is time for the public to be informed that vaccination is also necessary for vulnerable adults. Public awareness regarding the critical nature of pneumococcal vaccination is significantly lacking, according to a survey conducted by MTS in 2021. Only 24 percent and 26 percent of survey respondents believed that older persons and adults with underlying medical conditions, respectively, should receive the pneumococcal vaccination. He thanked pharmaceutical companies for their ongoing support to medical societies in promoting adult awareness of pneumococcal disease. In his capacity as a respiratory physician, he consistently advocates for his patients to receive the pneumococcal disease vaccination. This is due to the fact that elderly individuals with asthma and adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are nearly six times and nine times more likely, respectively, to develop pneumococcal pneumonia than healthy individuals.

Also present at the launch were Dr Sally Suriani Ahip, family medicine specialist and representative of FMSA; Dr Azureen Azmel, infectious disease physician and representative of MyICID; Dr Lim Hong Tak, geriatrician and representative of MSGM; and Dr Muruga Raj, general practitioner and representative of MMA.