A New Era in Pneumonia Prevention Must Reach Those Most at Risk

FIRS calls for action on World Pneumonia Day 2026

November 12, 2026

Glenview, IL – Pneumonia claimed an estimated 2.5 million lives globally in 2023, including 610,000 children under five. Despite being preventable and treatable, it remains a major cause of illness and death worldwide, particularly among young children and older adults.

On World Pneumonia Day, November 12, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), of which the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) is a founding member, is calling for greater access to the vaccines, diagnostic tools, and treatments that can prevent pneumonia and save lives.

This year's theme, 'A New Era of Pneumonia Control', recognizes the progress being made in pneumonia prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. But new advances will only make a difference if they reach the people and communities at greatest risk.

The risk of pneumonia is closely linked to the conditions in which people live. Children affected by malnutrition, low vaccination coverage, and household air pollution are particularly vulnerable. Almost half of all childhood pneumonia deaths are attributable to malnutrition.

Older adults also face significant risks. More than one in four pneumonia deaths among adults aged over 70 are attributable to air pollution and smoking. This underlines the need to address environmental risk factors as well as improve access to healthcare.

Advances in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), new interventions to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), improved diagnostic technologies, and better access to effective treatments offer important opportunities to reduce pneumonia deaths.

Yet access to these advances remains unequal. Millions of children and adults still face barriers to vaccination, timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and life-saving oxygen therapy.

FIRS is calling on governments, health care organizations, global health partners and donors to take action to:

• Expand access to lifesaving vaccines: Improve coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), new RSV vaccines, and long-acting monoclonal antibodies, as well as influenza vaccines
• Improve early diagnosis and treatment: Strengthen health systems so that people with pneumonia can be diagnosed promptly and receive appropriate treatment, including antibiotics and oxygen therapy when indicated
• Address the underlying risk factors: Tackle malnutrition, household and outdoor air pollution, tobacco exposure, and gaps in immunization.
• Protect those most at risk: Prioritize prevention and care for children under five, older adults, and people living with underlying respiratory conditions.
• Support research and innovation: Invest in the development of affordable vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatments, and ensure these are accessible in low- and middle-income countries.
• Strengthen health systems: Equip and train healthcare workers to prevent, recognize, and manage pneumonia effectively.

For more information on World Pneumonia Day, visit https://stoppneumonia.org/latest/world-pneumonia-day/

About the American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians^®(CHEST) is the global leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases. Its mission is to champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research. It serves as an essential connection to clinical knowledge and resources for its 18,000+ members from around the world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. For information about CHEST and its family of journals, including the flagship journal CHEST, visit chestnet.org.

About the Forum of International Respiratory Societies
The Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) is an organization comprised of the world's leading international respiratory societies working together to improve lung health globally: American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), American Thoracic Society (ATS), Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR), Asociación Latinoamericana De Tórax (ALAT), European Respiratory Society (ERS), International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS), Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) .