KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- To commemorate World Pneumonia Day 2019 on 12 November, Pfizer is encouraging adults age 65 years and older to learn more about the seriousness of pneumonia and the preventative measures they can take to help protect themselves. Pneumonia, which includes pneumococcal pneumonia, is a leading cause of death in children worldwide, but older adults are also at increased risk due to the age-related decline of the immune system.
 
“This World Pneumonia Day, Pfizer is encouraging adults to take steps to help prevent a potentially serious disease, through simple preventative lifestyle choices like getting vaccinated, eating well, and exercising regularly,” said Dr. Jerusha Naidoo, Country Medical Lead, Pfizer Malaysia. “We encourage adults 65 or older to talk to their health care provider about ways to help protect themselves.”
 
Pneumonia can also have a large impact on individuals, and adults with pneumonia may experience significant consequences due to the infection. For example, pneumonia can lead to potential complications like respiratory failure (which requires a breathing machine or ventilator) and sepsis (a condition in which there is uncontrolled inflammation in the body, which may lead to widespread organ failure). Symptoms such as weakness and fatigue can take several weeks to resolve.
 
One of the ways adults can help protect themselves and others from vaccine-preventable diseases, such as pneumococcal pneumonia, is by getting vaccinated with the recommended doses at the recommended times. Vaccines are an important tool to help prevent certain infectious diseases that cause health and financial burdens. Vaccination is also a key preventive measure and a key component of healthy aging.
 
Millions of adults are not immunized with one or more of the vaccines recommended for their age group and health status, putting themselves and others at risk for the harmful effects of certain infectious diseases, like pneumococcal pneumonia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunization helps to prevent an estimated two to three million vaccine-preventable deaths every year in people of all ages and is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to help reduce illness and mortality worldwide.
 
Click here to download full press release, as well as the Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese translations: https://we.tl/t-jzwO2IKU2z
 
SOURCE: Pfizer Malaysia 
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Cherry Lui
Communication Lead
Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Tel: +6017 622 3906
Email: lui.cherry@pfizer.com

--BERNAMA