MEDIA RELEASE PR36544
Don't Delay, Vaccinate Today
SYDNEY, Oct. 14 /Medianet International-Asianet/--
The Confederation of Meningitis Organizations (CoMO) today issued a call to
action to parents in Asia to immunise their children against pneumococcal
disease, to reduce their children's risk of serious illness and preventable
death.
The call to action comes on the eve of the 13th Asian Pacific Congress of
Pediatrics to be held in China at the Shanghai International Convention Center, which
aims to address health issues affecting children in Asia.
Pneumococcal disease is the leading cause of vaccine preventable death
worldwide in children younger than five[1]. The disease is estimated to claim
up to one million deaths in children each year, with half of the top 10
countries with the highest prevalence of pneumococcal disease found in
Asia[2],[3].
In China alone, 30,000 children under the age of five die as a result of
pneumococcal disease infection every year[4]. Pneumococcal disease can also
cause pneumonia and meningitis, which are two of the most serious conditions a
child can suffer from[5],[6].
Pneumococcal immunisation is critical in protecting children from
pneumococcal disease, which refers to a range of illnesses caused by infection
with the bacterium streptococcus pneumonia, also known as pneumococcus[7]. The
vaccines that help protect against pneumococcal disease have been readily
available and widely used globally for over nine years.
"We strongly encourage all parents to immunise their children, as infants
are the main carriers of this life-threatening disease," said Mr Bruce
Langoulant, CoMO President. "Immunising children against pneumococcal disease
can therefore reduce the spread of bacteria to other children," he said.
Pneumococcal disease is picked up through close contact with infected
carriers. Most people carry pneumococcal bacteria in their nose and throat. The bacteria
are transferred to another person through droplets of saliva or mucus, such as when a
carrier sneezes, coughs, shares toys or kisses someone[7].
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the priority inclusion
of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in national childhood
immunisation programs worldwide since 2007. In Asia, PCV7 is currently
available on the childhood immunisation program in Hong Kong. While PCV7 is not on
childhood immunisation programs in other countries in Asia, it is readily available from
doctors.
Parents seeking more information about immunising against pneumococcal
disease should speak to their doctor.
For further information or to arrange an interview with CoMO President, Mr
Bruce Langoulant, please contact:
Andrea Brady -
andreabrady01@gmail.com or
+64 212 545 324.
About CoMO:
The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) was established in 2004 to be a
global voice for the organisations and patient groups which continue to be formed to
raise awareness about meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) and to ensure support
is available for those affected. CoMO is now comprised of 26 meningitis and children's
health organisations and 7 individual advocates from around the world and is working to
strengthen its network of families and healthcare professionals within the Asia Pacific
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine preventable deaths and the
global immunization vision and strategy, 2006-2015. MMWR.
2006;55(18)511-515.(Document provided by Wyeth)
[2] The Medical News, Wyeth's Prevenar vaccine for pneumococcal disease
registered in Russia, March 2009. Accessed 12 August 2009
[3] Rudanl, Boschi-Pinto C, Biloglav Z, Mullholland K & Campbell H.
Epidemiology and etiology of childhood pneumonia. Bulletin of the World Health
Organization 2008; 86:408-416. Available at
[4] The Lancet, Volume 374, Issue 9693, Pages 893 - 902, 12 September 2009.
Accessed 24 September 2009
[5] World Pneumonia Day, Tackling Pneumococcal Disease - the world's biggest
killer of children, 31st July 2009. Accessed 12 August 2009
parliament.pdf
[6] World Pneumonia Day, Learn More About Childhood Pneumonia, Short video
about global efforts to prevent Pneumococcal Disease, 2009. Accessed 12 August
[7] Better Health Channel, Pneumococcal disease fact sheet, 2002. Accessed 11
August 2009
SOURCE: COMO - (Confederation of Meningitis Organisations)
Translations:
NEWS 
