15 Dec Developing nations introduce new vaccine against major killer within a year of rich countries
Managua, Nicaragua, 12 December 2010 – A new vaccine which prevents the most deadly forms of pneumonia – the world’s number one killer of children – was introduced today in the routine immunisation programme of a developing country, paving the way to introductions in more than 40 developing countries.
“For every one child who dies of pneumonia, the most common form of serious pneumococcal disease in rich countries, 2,000 die from pneumonia in developing countries. This is not acceptable.”
Helen Evans, interim CEO, GAVI
International leaders in global health joined the Nicaraguan government and hundreds of parents and children to celebrate the rollout of the new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the developing world less than a year after it was introduced in rich countries.