FAQ

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FAQs

Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that affects people of all ages, but is particularly dangerous for older adults and young children. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 160 million children around the world develop pneumonia each year, 20 million of whom are hospitalized and 2 million of whom die. Worldwide, pneumonia is the leading cause of death for children under the age of five. Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected, accounting for more than half of such cases. SOURCE – PKIDS
Bacteria, viruses, or fungi that live in your nose, mouth, sinuses, or the surrounding environment can enter your lungs and create infections, including pneumonia. You can get the bacteria or viruses from people who are infected with them, whether they show symptoms or not. The leading cause of severe pneumonia in children in developing countries is Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, or pneumococcus. Another leading cause is Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib. Other causes of pneumonia include influenza, staph infections, human respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, herpes simplex virus, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Less common types of pneumonia can be acquired through the inhalation of food, liquids, gases, dust, and certain fungi. Pneumocystis carinii (now renamed Pneumocystis jiroveci) pneumonia (PCP) is a fungal infection that can affect people with weakened immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS. SOURCE – PKIDS
  • Vaccines are the best way to prevent pneumococcal disease
  • Antibiotics such as amoxicillin are the first-line treatment for pneumococcal infections
  • Oxygen Therapy can help treat pneumonia but is often a scarce resource for children in low-resource settings
  • Exclusive Breastfeeding
  • Good Nutrition
  • Hand Washing
  • Abating indoor air pollution
SOURCE – PKIDS
  • Spreads through contact with people who carry the bacteria in their nose and throat.
  • Transmission occurs from respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person.
  • People, especially children, can be carriers without being sick and spread the bacterium to others.
SOURCE – PKIDS
Anyone may develop pneumonia, but those at greater risk of infection may have experienced or are currently experiencing conditions such as:
  • Exposure to tobacco smoke
  • Poor nutrition
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Cold
  • Influenza
  • HIV infection
  • Poor shelter
  • Overcrowding
  • Indoor or outdoor pollution
  • Lack of appropriate breastfeeding for the first six months of life
  • Inadequate zinc intake.
SOURCE – PKIDS

Two of the biggest drivers for why new PCVS are needed are increasing supply and lowering costs.

  • The process of making PCVS is one of the most complex and expensive as far as vaccines go.
  • Existing PCVS save lives but are too expensive for many countries to afford without considerable donor support and many unable to access financial support simply can’t afford them at all.

We urgently need a vaccine that protects on par with current ones but is significantly less expensive so that countries can afford and access them over the long term. Pneumosil is designed to meet this need.

SIIPL can make Pneumosil relatively cost efficiently at high volume-which can make vaccine easier to supply and more accessibie over the long term for the countries that.need it most.

The process of making PCVS is one of the most complex and expensive as far as vaccines go.

Pneumosil is made similarly, but parts of the process have been made more efficient-lowering costs while preserving quality.

Pneumosil is designed to provide the same degree of protection as current vaccines at roughly 30% of the GAVI supported price for LICS and at substantially lower pricing than current vaccines for other LMICS-savings that could free up funds for other health priorities.