World Pneumonia Day

November 12

Lower respiratory infections

Deaths today

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Deaths this year

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Key fact

Pneumonia kills more children than any other infectious disease — a child dies of pneumonia every 39 seconds. Vaccines, antibiotics, and oxygen treatment could prevent the vast majority of these deaths.

Deaths / year

2,600,000

Deaths / day

7,123

Deaths / hour

297

Deaths / second

0.08

About this day

World Pneumonia Day is observed on November 12 to raise awareness about pneumonia, the world's leading infectious killer. Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections claim 2.6 million lives each year. Children under 5 and the elderly are most vulnerable, and most pneumonia deaths are preventable through vaccination, adequate nutrition, and access to treatment.

What you can do

Ensure children receive the pneumococcal vaccine on schedule
Get a flu vaccine annually — flu is a leading cause of pneumonia
Wash hands regularly and practise good hygiene to prevent spread
Support access to antibiotics and oxygen treatment in low-income countries
Advocate for clean indoor air — household air pollution increases pneumonia risk

Related data

Explore detailed statistics, live counters, and risk factors for the cause behind this awareness day.

Lower respiratory infections

Disclaimer: Statistics are based on the latest available WHO and UN data. Actual figures may vary by year and source. This page is intended for awareness and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.