Maputo 10 April 2013 - The Mozambican Ministry of Health, introduced on 10 April 2013 the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 10 (PCV-10) into the national immunization program. The launch of the PCV-10 took place in Boane District and was chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr. Alexandre Manguele, who also gave the first vaccine.

The introduction of the PCV-10 was organized collaboration with the WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, USAID, Save the Children, VillageReach, Fundação para Desenvolvimento da Comunidade (FDC), and other partners.

The ceremony took place just two weeks before the World Immunization Week from 22-28 April 2013. With the slogan: “Save Lives. Prevent disabilities. Vaccinate.” the Immunization Week in the African Region will this year focus on reinforcing routine vaccination targeting unimmunized children to reduce mortality from preventable diseases. 

“In Mozambique, similarly to the other countries of the region, pneumococcal disease is one of the main causes of death among children under 5 years though it is preventable through vaccination” said the Minister of Health at the launch of the PCV-10. To lower infant mortality and as part of the commitment to the Millennium Development Goal s, the Ministry of Health is planning to vaccinate one million children every year as through the routine immunization schedule.

During a press conference on the 9th of April, Dr. Mouzinho Saide, National Director for Public Health, assured that all logistical arrangements including cold chain and training of health care personnel were in place countrywide for the introduction of the new vaccine.

According to the Ministry of Health, pneumonia is the third cause of mortality among children under 5 years. The PCV-10 vaccine protects against infection by the pneumococcus bacteria, one of the most common causes of pneumonia in children.  It also protects against some other infections caused by the pneumococcus, such as some forms of meningitis and bacteremia.

Pneumonia, whether caused by pneumococcus or other types of bacteria, is a treatable and preventable disease. If diagnosed in time, it can often be treated with a simple course of antibiotics. Preventive measures to protect your child from pneumonia include: breast feeding in the first 6 months of life and the use of clean stoves to avoid indoor air pollution.  PCV-10 will also provide very effective and long-lasting protection against pneumococcal pneumonia.

The PCV-10 should be given in three doses. The minimum age at first dose is 6 weeks, with a minimum interval of four weeks between the subsequent doses - e.g., 6, 10 and 14 weeks. Ideally, PCV-10 should be given simultaneously with other childhood vaccinations: DTP, Hepatitis B, Hib, and OPV administration.

The Mozambican Ministry of Health is planning to introduce more vaccines in the coming years including rotavirus in 2014 and human papilloma virus for cervical cancer in 2015.