A global review confirms that the elimination of maternal and newborn tetanus — preventable diseases responsible for the death of one baby approximately every three minutes and up to 30,000 mothers each year — could be achieved by 2012, and encourages the public to participate in a high profile campaign to help those most at risk.
Titled Participate, Vaccinate, Eliminate: Together Against Maternal and Newborn Tetanus, the global review highlights that individual participation in the Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign, which has to date raised over 50 million vaccines for UNICEF, will be instrumental in ensuring the elimination of maternal and newborn deaths due to tetanus. It is expected that the new campaign will lead to the vaccination and subsequent protection of over 70 million women of child-bearing age, and their babies to come, born in high-risk areas of some of the remaining 46 target countries — which includes China. The aim is to raise an additional 200 million vaccines over the next three years.
Speaking at the launch of the awareness campaign, Pampers spokeswoman for the Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign Salma Hayek, who has recently returned from a visit to Sierra Leone to witness firsthand the impact of vaccination campaigns, commented, "The thought of losing a child to a disease which can be easily prevented seems unbearable, especially when it is within our power to prevent it. If you knew how to help save a child's life what could stop you? It is so simple with Pampers 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine."
Despite the progress that has been made to date, the global review emphasises that this campaign is an ongoing process requiring continued support.
