By Comfort Umoren

Pneumonia,  one of the vaccine preventable diseases causing  death of children below the age of five years worldwide has attracted contributions from different stakeholders, aimed at eradicating  the pandemic.

In the light of this, Pfizer Nigeria, East Africa Region (Pfizer NEAR) in partnership with Nazareth school, recently organized a health week among school children for the achievement of the objective.

While speaking with pressmen, the media and public relations manager, Pfizer NEAR, Ngozi Ushedo disclosed that the aim of the event was to create awareness in children and parents as well as remove the misconception most people have about the disease as being caused by cold environment and substance(s).

The health talk she said will not only educate them on what the disease is but will also enlighten them on the causes and preventive measures of contracting the disease in order to stay healthy.

Speaking on the choice of school, Ushedo stated that it was as a result of the schools’ population which is about 2200 with a higher number of pupils less than five years of age which are the most vulnerable group to contract the disease.

“We carried out a research on schools with a higher number of pupils below the age of 5 because these are the most susceptible and vulnerable ones that are prone to the disease. Apart from the health talk, we also provided flyers that explain the causes, preventive measures and symptoms of the disease in the simplest form; we will also liaise with the school authority to include such teaching in its health education subject.”