Tokyo, November, 2017 – In support of World Pneumonia Day, 12 November, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) calls for global efforts to:
There are effective ways to protect, prevent and treat pneumonia including:
Pneumonia is commonly caused by bacteria or viruses, often existing together. Vaccination is highly effective for preventing some of these infections. Vaccines against whooping cough (pertussis), measles and diphtheria, given in the childhood immunisation schedule, and influenza vaccine given to those who are predisposed to severe pneumonia and to the elderly are important to prevent pneumonia. New, effective vaccines are available against common bacteria causing pneumonia such as H influenzae b and pneumococcus but there are several areas of the world where these vaccines are unavailable. Vaccination of children to protect against pneumococcus is also a very effective way to prevent pneumonia in adults, as children frequently spread the infection to adults.
Every child, regardless of where they are born, deserves access to clean air and water, lifesaving vaccines, appropriate use of antibiotics and oxygen therapy to protect, prevent and treat pneumonia.
FIRS calls on governments, health care providers, funders and public health specialists to ensure:
About the Forum of International Respiratory Societies
The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) is an organization consisting of the world's leading international respiratory societies working together to improve lung health globally: the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), American Thoracic Society (ATS), Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), Asociación Latinoamericana De Tórax (ALAT), European Respiratory Society (ERS), International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (The Union), Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS), Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). The goal of FIRS is to unify and enhance efforts to improve lung health through the combined work of its more than 70,000 members globally. Learn more at firsnet.org.