HCMC – A symposium on pneumococcal disease last week saw the participation of more than 1,000 doctors and experts in preventive and respiratory medicine across Vietnam.
Organized by Pfizer Vietnam and the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine on August 21 in HCMC and repeated on August 22 in Hanoi, the symposium aimed to address the impact of pneumococcal disease in adults.
The event focused on the effectiveness of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines in preventing the disease.
Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) worldwide. The disease is hazardous for older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed an estimated 1.6 million people die each year from pneumococcal disease, including 600,000 to 800,000 adults, primarily due to pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. Over 90% of these deaths occur in developing countries.
Participants agreed that broader vaccine coverage could play a crucial role in reducing the burden of the disease, especially in vulnerable populations.
In Vietnam, the average cost of treatment for each patient with community-acquired pneumonia ranges from VND15 million to VND23 million (equivalent to US$600 to US$1,000), with an average hospital stay of 6 to 13 days. Therefore, timely prevention is crucial in minimizing the risk of disease and the harmful effects of pneumococcal disease.
