News
Back to News Archive
Foundation joins growing global coalition calling for urgent action on pneumococcal vaccination
18 May 2006
Meningitis Research Foundation supports the call in the 18 May online edition of The Lancet for the rapid introduction of pneumococcal vaccination in the developing world. In the article -Time to begin pneumococcal vaccination in developing countries - a unique global coalition of leading global health experts from NGOs, governments, aid organisations, academic and research institutions in both industrialised and developing nations have come together to highlight the urgent need for action to protect the world's children from the massive burden of death and disability caused by pneumococcal disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to one million children under five years old die every year of pneumococcal pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. HIV infection - endemic in many parts of the developing world - increases risk for pneumococcal disease 20-40-fold, and antibiotic resistance makes treatment difficult and expensive.
An effective, well-tolerated, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which can be delivered through existing immunisation systems, is available now. This seven-valent vaccine (effective against seven common strains of the disease) is licensed in more than 70 countries and it is used routinely in several industrialised nations. Surveillance data from the USA indicate that the herd immunity effect from routine childhood pneumococcal vaccination prevents twice as many cases as the direct effects of vaccination alone - protecting vulnerable adults as well as children.
In tune with the article's authors, Meningitis Research Foundation urges international donors and industry to negotiate a sustainable, affordable supply of pneumococcal vaccine for developing countries. Meningitis Research Foundation calls on the governments of developing countries and their partners to establish pneumococcal disease surveillance and begin preparations for vaccine introduction. By taking these steps, we can improve child survival in developing countries by using pneumococcal vaccines and help achieve the millennium development goals.
Denise Vaughan, Meningitis Research Foundation Chief Executive said: "The UK is on the verge of introducing a pneumococcal vaccine into its routine infant immunisation schedule which will save lives. However, there are millions of children world-wide who will still be at risk. Making pneumococcal vaccination available to all young children throughout the world will save many thousands of lives."
Notes to Editor: