In the News

Pneumococcal diseases can be prevented via vaccination

February 14, 2008 | Estetiktr.name.tr

Global experts unite to combat the world’s leading infectious killer!

International experts in the fields of infectious diseases have joined forces to raise awareness and encourage global prevention of pneumococcal disease, the world’s leading infectious killer of children and adults worldwide. Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis and other life-threatening ailments, and kills 1.6 million people — including more than 800,000 children under the age of five — annually.

The Pneumococcal Awareness Council of Experts (PACE) came together as a working group to save millions of lives under the auspices of the Sabin Vaccine Institute, supporting development and availability of new vaccines. As an effort to urge policymakers to ensure access to new life-saving vaccines to those most at risk, the launch of PACE follows the recent commitment of more than $1.5 billion by five countries and the Bill Gates Foundation in financing for pneumococcal vaccines.

Vaccines can save 5.4 million children

With contributions also for the elimination of measles and poliomyelitis, PACE cochairman Dr. Ciro A. de Quadros estimates that, with increased awareness and a resulting commitment to purchase and deliver pneumococcal vaccines, 5.4 million children’s lives could be saved by 2030.