Nearly 1.5 million children die worldwide from causes that were preventable through vaccination.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 6 million children die worldwide before their fifth birthday and more than half of those deaths could have been prevented; Of that number, one and a half million children died of diseases for which there is a vaccine. Given this, Sanofi Pasteur and Save the Children announced an alliance that has as a goal that no child suffers or dies from a preventable cause.
During the press conference, in which the alliance in Mexico between Sanofi Pasteur and Save the Children was presented, Jorge Vidal, National Director of Programs for Save the Children, pointed out that one of the ambitious but achievable goals within the development objectives sustainable, is to prevent more girls and boys under 5 years from dying from preventable diseases . ? This goal is shared by Save the Children and Sanofi, which leads to a mutual effort to ensure adequate coverage regarding vaccination of Mexican children? he stressed.
Dr. Carmen Espinosa, a pediatric infectologist at the General Hospital of Mexico, pointed out that vaccinated and protected children have the opportunity to develop, in addition to having more possibilities to take advantage of their full potential. ? This is also achieved if there is an awareness of the vaccination of adolescents and adults, who in many cases are the ones who bring the contagion of diseases. Vaccination is a right, but it is also an obligation since you protect yourself and those around you? [3], he explained.
For her part, María Josefina Menéndez, Executive Director of Save the Children in Mexico, described the alliance in the following terms:? A decisive step is celebrated today. Together with Sanofi we will realize the right to health and survival for thousands of Mexican boys and girls. Promoting vaccination is imperative and one of the most forceful actions to avoid preventable deaths of boys and girls under 5 years of age.
For his part, Fernando Sampaio, General Director of Sanofi Pasteur Mexico, stated that “working hand in hand with organizations like Save the Children with whom we share the same goal, we have the opportunity to save the lives of millions of children through vaccination.”
Did he add that? For Sanofi Pasteur it is gratifying to collaborate as a real partner in health to train volunteers, coordinators, ambassadors, to ensure that teachers, parents and children in 18 states of the country have first-hand information and, to in turn, they convey the importance of vaccination, as one of the pillars to prevent disease. We make a call so that, with this knowledge, we act in favor of the health of boys and girls ?, he concluded.