Manila: Pneumonia, a vaccine-preventable disease, has climbed to become the country’s fourth leading cause of death, claiming more than 46,000 lives from January to July this year, health experts said Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, pneumonia has emerged as a major economic and health concern. The disease, which causes inflammation of the lungs, spreads easily through coughs or droplets and can lead to serious complications, especially among children under five, senior citizens, and those with chronic conditions. In 2024, pneumonia rose to fourth place, accounting for 6.7 percent of deaths nationwide, up from seventh since 2021.
The benefit packages for moderate to severe pneumonia topped claims by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in the same year. “There were 648,355 pneumonia benefit claims from January to December 2024, totaling PHP11.9 billion in health costs that could have been prevented through timely vaccinations,” said PHAP Executive Director Teodoro Padilla. He emphasized that the cost of treatment far outweighs the cost of prevention, as vaccination offers protection for individuals and communities.
San Lazaro Hospital infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante highlighted the need for consistent vaccination efforts. “As a highly preventable disease, pneumonia should not be claiming this many lives anymore,” Solante stated. “Pneumonia’s resurgence should remind us that we must stay consistent with our efforts, especially as diseases like this are so easily prevented with vaccines.”
Health experts have noted that pneumonia vaccination should not be limited to infants and the elderly. Adults with underlying illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cancer, are also highly vulnerable. “The protection pneumonia vaccines offer is encompassing. Young or old, and even adults with chronic conditions, benefit from it,” Solante said.
Health experts have underscored the need to strengthen immunization across all age groups through a whole-of-society approach. While vaccination coverage expansion continues, challenges remain, particularly in remote and underserved communities. Pneumonia vaccines are available for free at local government health centers, prioritizing young children and senior citizens. In the private sector, adults may access the vaccine in clinics, hospitals, and accredited pharmacies, such as Mercury Drug, Watsons, and Southstar Drug, which offer vaccination programs for customers aged 18 and above.
Corporations are also encouraged to include pneumonia vaccination in their workplace health programs to boost protection among employees. Health experts agree that strengthening vaccine confidence, ensuring supply availability, and sustaining advocacy efforts are essential to reducing pneumonia deaths and preventing further strain on the healthcare system.