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Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine For Infants – Andhra Pradesh

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) Immunisation Drive For Infants.:

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has launched Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) immunisation drive for infants.

  • Earlier in December 2020, India’s first fully indigenously developed pneumococcal conjugate vaccine “Pneumosil” was launched.
  • It prevents pneumococcal disease. It can protect both children and adults from pneumococcal disease.
  • The vaccine is a mix of several bacteria of the pneumococci family, which are known to cause pneumonia—hence ‘conjugate’ is included in the name of the vaccine.
  • Conjugate vaccines are made using a combination of two different components.

Pneumococcal disease:

  • Pneumococcal disease is a name for any infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus.
  • Most people carry pneumococcus in their nose and throat, where the bacteria do not cause any symptoms.
  • However, sometimes the bacteria grow and spread to other parts of the body and that’s when people become sick.
  • Effects: These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. Pneumococcal bacteria are one of the most common causes of pneumonia.