Healthy ageing is the lifelong practice of preventative health behaviour, such as choosing nutritious foods, regular exercise, appropriate screenings and vaccination in pursuit of optimal quality of life.

Through vaccination, adults can be protected from 14 deadly diseases, one of which is invasive pneumococcal disease, part of which is pneumococcal pneumonia.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a respiratory condition that describes a group of illnesses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes an infection of the lung. Even with the use of antibiotics, pneumococcal pneumonia still causes death in up to 20 per cent of cases. Around 1.6 million people die of this disease worldwide annually, which is most serious in infants and young children, people older than 65 and people with underlying health problems or weakened immune systems.

To increase awareness of invasive pneumococcal disease, Vivian Corporation will be participating in a number of events on or around World Pneumonia Day.

Established in 2009, World Pneumonia Day is marked every year on November 12.

“Vivian Corporation aims to increase the awareness of this preventable illness that affects both children and adults. Vaccines are not just for children,” said Joanna Gatt, executive director at Vivian.

Following the successful collaboration with the Malta Pharmacy Students Association (MPSA) and positive public feedback at Science in the City, the team will be setting up an installation next weekend (November 8-12) at The Point Shopping Mall, Level -1, Sliema, providing information to the public.

“This gives MPSA members experience by interacting with the public and providing the services of a pharmacist and is also beneficial to supplement our studies in microbiology,” said MPSA president Hannah Flynn.

More information about World Pneumonia Day can be found at http://worldpneumoniaday.org/ or www.viviancorp.com.