As pneumonia becomes the fourth top killer in the Philippines, an infectious disease expert is calling for stronger immunization efforts to protect public health.

As of 31 July, the vaccine-preventable disease had claimed more than 46,000 lives, as cases of influenza-like illness and other respiratory diseases continue to rise, according to Dr. Rontgene Solante, infectious disease specialist at San Lazaro Hospital.

“As a highly preventable disease, pneumonia should not be claiming this many lives anymore,” Solante said.

“Pneumonia’s resurgence should remind us that we must stay consistent with our efforts, especially as diseases like this are so easily prevented with vaccines,” he added.

For years, sustained immunization efforts helped keep pneumonia lower on the list of top causes of death, ranking only seventh until 2021. But by 2024, pneumonia had risen to fourth place and, in the same year, benefit packages for moderate to severe pneumonia topped claims from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

As of July, it had already claimed 46,718 lives, accounting for 6.7 percent of all deaths nationwide — underscoring its burden on public health. It remains the leading cause of death among children younger than 5. Health experts also point out its significant economic strain.

Citing data on health benefit claims in 2024, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines Executive Director Teodoro Padilla highlighted the role of immunization in alleviating this societal burden.