As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the prevalence in children under 3 years of age of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) which includes pneumonia and bronchitis was 19.3% in NFHS 2(1998-99), 5.8% in NFHS 3(2005-06) and was 2.7% in NFHS 4 (2015-16) in children under 5 years of age. 

Under the National Health Mission, the Government of India is implementing the following interventions to address   pneumonia:

SAANS (Social Awareness and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully) Initiative to accelerate action to reduce deaths due to Childhood Pneumonia. The SAANS initiative encompasses a three-tiered strategy: i) National Childhood Pneumonia Management Guidelines on treatment and management of Childhood Pneumonia; ii) Skill building and training of service providers for identification and standardized management of Pneumonia, and iii) a 3600 communication SAANS Campaign to ensure greater awareness on childhood Pneumonia among families and parents in order to trigger behaviour change and improve care-seeking. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) focuses on Measles, Haemophilus Influenzae (B) and Pneumococcal Vaccine for prevention of pneumonia. Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are promoted under Mothers’ Absolute Affection (MAA) initiative. 

Facility-based Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (F-IMNCI) training to build capacity of Medical Officer and Nurses in PrimaryHealth Centres, First Referral Unit, Community Health Centres, and District Hospital on Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Management.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has been introduced since May 2017 in a phased manner under the Universal Immunization Program. Since its inception, 93.20 lakh children have been vaccinated with Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) till October 2019 in the states of Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, 19 districts of Uttar Pradesh and 18 districts of Rajasthan.

Following steps have been taken to disseminate knowledge about Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) vaccination under the Universal Immunization Program of National Health Mission:

Awareness among community has been generated utilizing audio-visual and print material like poster, banner, leaflet, TV spot and radio spot and use of Social media through WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook messages. Awareness among service providers like medical officers and Front Line Workers like Accredited Social Health Activists(ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and Anganwadi workers(AWWs)has been created through training.