How to save nine million children

Failure to quickly launch immunisation programmes could mean death for millions in the next decade.

Last year, a child died of pneumonia every 39 seconds, on average. A form of acute respiratory infection, pneumonia is detectable, treatable, and preventable. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCVs)—which protect against the bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis (a life-threatening brain infection)—have existed since 2000. But their use has been concentrated largely in developed countries, for a simple reason: they are very expensive. Fortunately, a new vaccine could change that.