The Ministry of Health (Minsa) urged the most vulnerable population to get vaccinated against pneumonia. Children under 2 years of age, people with chronic diseases and older adults need to be protected from complications caused by the pneumococcus bacteria.
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Magdalena Quepuy Izarra, executive director of Immunizations at the Ministry of Health, stressed that the pneumonia vaccine is preventive. Children should receive their first doses at 2 and 4 months of age. and a third when they turn 1 year old.
LPeople aged 5 to 59 who have chronic diseases, such as lung disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, Down syndrome, etc., should receive one dose in their lifetime. Also, those over 60 years of age need a single dose.
In addition to preventing pneumonia, The pneumococcus vaccine protects against meningitis, otitis media, sinusitis, among other diseases. Magdalena Quepuy explained that the vaccine is not a cure for these diseases, but that, if a person falls ill, it prevents hospitalizations and even death.
The vaccine provided by the Minsa is the antipneumococcal vaccine. 13 serotypes, which provides better immunity. It is safe, effective and free in any health facility in the State.