GAVI [to 21 March 2015]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

:: Children in Bangladesh to benefit from dual vaccine introduction
More than three million children to be protected against polio and the leading cause of pneumonia (joint press release Gavi, UNICEF, WHO, GPEI)

Geneva/Dhaka, 20 March 2015 – Two new life-saving vaccines are being introduced tomorrow into Bangladesh’s national immunisation programme thanks to support from Gavi, UNICEF, WHO and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners.

More than three million children will benefit from pneumococcal vaccine (PCV), which protects against one of the leading causes of pneumonia, and the Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) as part of the Polio Eradication & Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018.

“Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of child mortality in Bangladesh, accounting for 22 %1 of deaths of children under the age of five so the introduction of pneumococcal vaccine will have a major positive impact on child survival,” said Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Globally, pneumococcal disease takes the lives of half a million children under the age of five each year, the vast majority of whom live in developing countries.

“We strongly believe that introduction of PCV and IPV in the national immunisation schedule will have a major impact on the reduction of under-five mortality and morbidities.

Given the commitment and determination shown by the Government and partners, UNICEF is confident that this momentous effort will make a significant and sustained contribution to child survival in Bangladesh through ensuring equitable access to all children,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative, Bangladesh…