Pneumonia warning issued

A warning has been given by health authorities that more needs to be done to protect people in the developing world from pneumonia.

Research from the World Health Association (WHO) has found that it is critical that there is more focus placed upon prevention of the disease.

Especially in children, there needs to be a fresh impetus on increasing the number of vaccinations carried out, WHO claimed.

There are effective vaccines for the two most deadly forms of pneumonia, which kill approximately 1.2 million children aged under five every year.

Kate O'Brien, primary author of the study, said: "Our findings underscore the urgent need for prevention efforts throughout the developing world.

"The need for vaccination and improved treatment is particularly urgent in Africa and Asia, which together account for 95 per cent of all pneumococcal deaths."

Pneumonia kills more children aged under five than any other disease, according to WHO data.

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