Pampers and UNICEF Celebrate a Decade Together Helping to Save Millions of Mother’s and Babies’ Lives
International celebrity & UNICEF ambassador, Emma Bunton, joins
Pampers & UNICEF to reflect on the 10 year-long partnership that has
helped protect the lives of millions of women & their babies
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An estimated 500,000 newborn lives have been saved and 100 million women
and their newborns protected from the deadly disease, maternal and
newborn tetanus, thanks to a ten-year long partnership between Pampers®
and UNICEF that helped achieve this milestone.
The partners marked the tenth anniversary of their work today by
celebrating the contributions of their joint effort that has helped in
the elimination of maternal and newborn tetanus in 17 countries, with
the success of the ‘1 Pack = 1 Vaccine’ initiative.
Long-standing spokesperson for the 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign, Emma
Bunton, united with Pampers & UNICEF during a global summit in New York
to celebrate the progress for mothers and babies as a result of the
partnership. At the event, Emma reflected on the decade-long initiative
and invited everyone to mark the 10th anniversary by
resolving to eliminate maternal and newborn tetanus entirely.
“Working with the people who have been instrumental in the success of
this partnership, and meeting some of the mothers and babies who have
enjoyed better, healthier lives as a result of the initiative has been
an unforgettable experience”, said Emma Bunton.
The 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign has combined two components that are
essential to defeating a disease like maternal and newborn tetanus:
Raising funds, and raising profile.
“The partnership between Pampers and UNICEF has resulted in much greater
awareness of maternal and newborn tetanus.” said Yoka Brandt,
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director. “It will take even more commitment and
investment, but we can and must accelerate elimination efforts in the
remaining 21 countries where the key challenge remains universal access
to life saving interventions, including maternal and newborn tetanus
vaccines.”
And although much has already been achieved, there is more work to be
done, as maternal and newborn tetanus still threatens the lives of 71
million women and their newborns.
Sirma Umur, Pampers VP babycare E-IMEA says “We continue to
partner with UNICEF to help protect the world’s babies against this
deadly disease and invite everyone to join us in our 10th
anniversary wish to eliminate maternal and newborn tetanus entirely.”
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. Nearly all babies who
contract tetanus die, unless they receive treatment.
The true extent of the newborn tetanus death toll is not 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.
Newborn tetanus can be prevented through a simple vaccination given to
pregnant women and women of a child-bearing age, to protect both the
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 appropriately
spaced 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
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything
we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and
territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing
special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to
the benefit of all children, everywhere. . For more information, please
visit www.unicef.org.
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
programmes for mothers and mothers-to-be, training schemes for
physicians and nurses, and the donation of equipment for maternity wards
and orphanages. Visit for more information: www.Pampers.co.uk/UNICEF
Contacts
For Pampers:
Colleen Cleary, 631-921-5320
colleen.cleary@hkstrategies.com
