The State Government of Andhra Pradesh launched Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) drive.
Context
The State Government of Andhra Pradesh launched Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) drive.
About the Vaccination drive
- PCV is a safe and effective vaccine.
- It is administered in three doses at the age of 6 weeks, 14 weeks, and 40 weeks.
- The vaccination programme is targeted for the prevention of pneumonia deaths in children, which is a major cause of infant and child mortality.
- So far the government has been providing nine types of vaccines to children, and with PCV a total of 10 types of vaccines are being given to children across the State.
- The PCV vaccination program for the prevention of pneumonia deaths in children is being conducted by the National Health Mission.
What is Pneumococcal disease?
- Caused by: Pneumococcal disease is a name for any infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus.
- Type of infection: Pneumococcal infections can range from ear and sinus infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections.
- There are two main types of pneumococcal disease:
- noninvasive (less serious)
- invasive (more serious)
- There are vaccines to help prevent pneumococcal disease.
