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A MINUTE OF HEALTH WITH CDC
Preventing Pneumonia
World Pneumonia Day — November 2, 2009
Recorded: November 3, 2009; posted: November 5, 2009

This program is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC — safer, healthier people.

Pneumonia is sometimes perceived as a disease that affects the elderly. However, it’s one of the leading causes of death among children worldwide. Of the approximately 10 million children under the age of five who die each year, nearly one in five dies from pneumonia. Two bacteria --- pneumococcus and Hib --- account for almost half of the pneumonia-related deaths in young children. Fortunately, most of these deaths are preventable through the use of vaccines that are part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. Parents — keep immunization records for your children and consult your child’s doctor to ensure they’ve been immunized against potentially life-threatening diseases, such as pneumonia.

Thank you for joining us on A Minute of Health with CDC.

For the most accurate health information, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO, 24/7.