Voluntary vaccination of adults could significantly reduce the incidence of lung infections, cut hospitalizations and ease the strain on overburdened hospitals, experts said Tuesday, ahead of World Lung Day.
World Lung Day is observed annually on September 25 to raise awareness about lungs and lung-related diseases. High morbidity and mortality associated with acute respiratory infections continues to pose a major challenge to healthcare systems.
Experts said that if a large proportion of the population is vaccinated, herd immunity would also reduce overall transmission of the disease and protect those who can’t be vaccinated, such as infants and those with suppressed immune systems.
“Respiratory infections are a major cause of hospitalisation due to lung-related illnesses. Vaccines are a cheap and simple way to prevent these infections, saving thousands of lives and millions of rupees in healthcare costs every year. Vaccines are also essential to reduce disease transmission and protect vulnerable people,” said Arjun Khanna, Director, Amrita Pulmonary Medicine Hospital, Faridabad.
He said older people and people with immunocompromised conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease and lung diseases like asthma and COPD, are at higher risk of severe illness from many vaccine-preventable diseases.
However, current adult vaccination coverage in India is extremely low, leaving millions of people vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases, causing unnecessary morbidity and mortality.
“Vaccines protect children against common lung infections such as influenza, pneumonia, whooping cough and respiratory syncytial virus infection and can prevent severe illness and death,” Dr Khanna pointed out.
Doctors say it’s important for vulnerable people and the elderly to keep their vaccinations up to date, including influenza (to prevent seasonal flu), pneumococcal pneumonia (to prevent bacterial pneumonia), respiratory syncytial virus (to prevent severe respiratory syncytial virus infection in adults over 60), Tdap (to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough), shingles (to prevent shingles), and BCG (to prevent tuberculosis).
