Doctors warn Haj pilgrims of respiratory infection, suggest mandatory vaccination
With the upcoming Haj season, doctors warn about the deadly pneumococcal disease, a respiratory infection that is common among the pilgrims. Doctors say that it is time that the government makes the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) mandatory for pilgrims in the high risk groups to bring down hospitalisation and mortality.
“About 50 per cent pilgrims are elderly and over 25 per cent are diabetic. Many such pilgrims with underlying ailments are low on immunity,” said Dr Hakimuddin Pardawala from Saifee hospital who sees at least 1,000 patients coming back from Haj every season with severe respiratory infections.
“Most of the old people who are not vaccinated succumb to the disease,” he said. Pneumococcal disease, an infection caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium is said to be one of the leading causes of hospitalisation of Haj pilgrims.
“About 50 per cent pilgrims are elderly and over 25 per cent are diabetic. Many such pilgrims with underlying ailments are low on immunity,” said Dr Hakimuddin Pardawala from Saifee hospital who sees at least 1,000 patients coming back from Haj every season with severe respiratory infections.
“Most of the old people who are not vaccinated succumb to the disease,” he said. Pneumococcal disease, an infection caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium is said to be one of the leading causes of hospitalisation of Haj pilgrims.
According to Dr Khalid Ansari from Kalsekar hospital in Thane, pilgrims remain in extremely crowded area and the schedule at Haj is also very demanding. “Vaccination not only safeguards the health of the pilgrim but also of other pilgrims in contacts with him or her,” said Ansari.
