Thanks to the collective power and support of mums across the globe, Pampers® and UNICEF celebrate today that together they have helped eliminate Maternal & Newborn Tetanus (MNT) in eight of the world’s poorest countries – Ghana, Myanmar, Uganda, Liberia, Senegal, Guinea Bisau, Timor Leste and Burkina Faso.
In Ireland we are responsible for donating a staggering 14 million vaccines to this cause and this year Pampers and UNICEF are asking that we keep that number climbing and show how Irish parents continue to give more and more to support mothers and babies in the developing world.
Since 2006, with the help of mums, Pampers have donated the cost of 300 million vaccines to UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation, helping to protect the lives of 100 million women and their babies. Uniting once more in their fight to eliminate MNT in every country, Pampers and UNICEF launch today their “1 pack = 1 vaccine” initiative for the seventh year running.
Whilst a huge achievement to date, there are still women and their babies in 33¹ countries at risk from this fatal disease that once contracted has no real cure. MNT occurs when newborns or mothers are infected at birth, often as a result of unhygienic birthing practices. It is however entirely preventable through simple injections administered to pregnant women and girls of child bearing age.
Peter Power, UNICEF Ireland Executive Director says, “Eliminating a disease in 8 countries is an amazing accomplishment and we couldn’t have done it without the support of Pampers® and mums across Ireland and the world. The sad truth is that there are still approximately 130 million women and their future babies in the most remote areas of the world’s poorest countries at risk of MNT”
“The disease could be easily prevented by the administration of a simple vaccination programme. When you buy a specially marked pack of Pampers nappies or wipes, the cost of the vaccines provided really do make a difference. With your support, we can help protect the women and newborns that are at risk so they too can enjoy safety and protection from MNT.”
With the help of mums, Pampers® has already made a substantial contribution in helping countries achieve elimination but there is still much to be done. Pampers and UNICEF will continue to work together until every country has eliminated MNT so that every baby, everywhere can live without the threat of the disease.
How can you help?
1 Pack = 1 Life-Saving Vaccine
You can help Pampers and UNICEF protect pregnant women and women of child-bearing age in the developing world against Maternal & Newborn Tetanus today. For each specially marked Pampers® UNICEF pack purchased, Pampers®will donate the cost of one tetanus vaccine to support UNICEF in the fight against MNT.
UNICEF Pledge Donations
All mums want their children to be secure, well nourished, educated and healthy. By reaching out, you’re helping children that need it most, but there are many more who are vulnerable and urgently in need. By becoming a monthly donor to UNICEF today you can join thousands of other mums who donate every month to improve the lives of these vulnerable children. Visit www.supportunicef.org/Pampers to see the difference that you can make.
For more information on the Pampers UNICEF campaign and how you can take part, visit pampers.ie.
Ends
For reference:
Julianne Savage, UNICEF Ireland. Tel. 01-878 3000 and julianne@unicef.ie
About Maternal and Newborn Tetanus
The true extent of the MNT death toll is not even fully known, since the population at the highest risk of contracting the disease tends to live in rural areas with little or no access to health care services or education.
Tetanus is caused by bacteria that live in soil. Newborns are often infected as a result of unhygienic birth practices, such as cutting the umbilical cord with un-sterile instruments or handling it with dirty hands. Once contracted, there is no real cure with up to 70%3 of babies who receive no treatment dying in the first month.
Maternal and neonatal tetanus can be prevented through simple injections given to pregnant women and women of child-bearing age, to protect both a woman and her unborn child during this vulnerable period. Following administration of the tetanus vaccine to a pregnant mother, the antibodies pass across the placenta to her foetus.
World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF recommend three doses of the tetanus vaccine in order to ensure long-lasting immunity. After two doses, a woman who is vaccinated before she gives birth will be protected against the disease for three years. After three doses she will be protected for five years, and in both cases, will share her protection with her baby for the first two months of life.
UNICEF is working in 190 countries, focusing on the hardest to reach children. As part of any vaccination programme, UNICEF works in the most remote communities to educate women about the importance of immunisation.
About Pampers
Pampers® cares for the development of every baby around the world and continuously works in partnerships with NGOs, charity organizations, hospitals and healthcare professionals to help make a difference. Some of the many initiatives which demonstrate Pampers® ongoing commitment to vulnerable and disadvantaged babies around the world include education programs for mothers and mothers-to-be, training schemes for physicians and nurses, and the donation of equipment for maternity wards and orphanages.