The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV)
together with government organizations, medical societies, NGOs and academe in collaboration
with the Confederation of Meningitis Organization (CoMO) and Pasay City Health Office are
joining hands in the fight against meningitis in the observance of the World Meningitis Day. The
World Meningitis Day, now on its 9 th year, is an international celebration which unites meningitis
organizations, health and vaccine advocates around the globe towards the single mission of
raising awareness about the devastating effects of meningitis and septicaemia and encouraging
its prevention through vaccination.
"We are very much fortunate that there are so many organizations who are working together with us towards achieving the goal of a world free of meningitis. We appreciate the support of the media in helping us in making the public aware that meningitis can be prevented by vaccination, says Dr. Shelley Ann dela Vega, President of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination"
"Apart from the World Meningitis Day, we are also observing the World Immunization Week from April 24-30, that aims to close the immunization gap though the acceleration of actions to increase awareness and demand for immunization by communities, and improve vaccination delivery services. The PFV as the champion to disease prevention is continuously supporting the country’s initiatives in protecting the Filipino children and families," Dr. Lulu Bravo said.
About Meningitis
About Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV)
"We are very much fortunate that there are so many organizations who are working together with us towards achieving the goal of a world free of meningitis. We appreciate the support of the media in helping us in making the public aware that meningitis can be prevented by vaccination, says Dr. Shelley Ann dela Vega, President of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination"
"Apart from the World Meningitis Day, we are also observing the World Immunization Week from April 24-30, that aims to close the immunization gap though the acceleration of actions to increase awareness and demand for immunization by communities, and improve vaccination delivery services. The PFV as the champion to disease prevention is continuously supporting the country’s initiatives in protecting the Filipino children and families," Dr. Lulu Bravo said.
About Meningitis
- Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. There are three main types of meningitis infection: bacterial, viral, or fungal / environmental.
- Meningitis kills or disables around 1.2 million people worldwide each year.
- Bacterial meningitis, which is the most severe and common form of meningitis, causes around 120,000 deaths globally every year.
- Even with prompt diagnosis and treatment, approximately 10% of patients will die within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, and up to 20% or more will sustain permanent damage and disability.
- Infants and children under five years old and adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age are most at risk. But anyone in the world can get meningitis at any time.
- Cases are more frequent in developing countries due to poverty, overcrowding and lack of access to vaccines.
- Those surviving meningitis can have their lives devastated as a result of long-term effects, such as deafness, brain damage, learning difficulties, seizures, difficulties with physical activities and when septicaemia is involved loss of limbs.
- Many people don’t know the warning signs or that many types of meningitis are vaccine- preventable.
- The best way to prevent bacterial meningitis is through vaccination.
- Vaccines prepare the immune system by exposing the body to a germ so that it is better able to fight an infection when it occurs. Vaccines contain either parts of a germ, live but weakened germs, or inactivated (dead) germs.
- The vaccines available protect against the three major causes of bacterial meningitis, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal meningitis and Haemophilus Influenzae Type b.
- Meningitis-preventing vaccines have proven to be extremely safe. Because they are composed of purified polysaccharide and protein, there is no possibility of contracting meningitis or any other infection from these vaccines.
About Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV)
- The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit organization to protect and advocate for the promotion of vaccination as essential to disease prevention, especially among infants and children. It is composed of vaccine experts and advocates fully dedicated to educate, conduct research on vaccination and contribute in sustaining the reduction of vaccine-preventable diseases. The organization is networking with both private and public institutions to enhance the collaboration and therefore promote a healthy nation.
- The Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc. is a specialty division of the Philippine Medical Association with members spread all over the country. It has nine chapters, representing all the regions and provinces of the Philippines. There are eleven pediatric subspecialty societies, one affiliate society and five sections under its umbrella. It is a professional organization of physicians caring for newborns, infants, children and adolescents; the main activities are training, research and advocacy. It is recognized nationally and internationally as leader in Philippine pediatric education and child advocacy.
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDSP), a subspecialty organization of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) is an active organization with a mission of battling infectious disease among children. Its members are committed to set the highest standards for education, training, research and practice in the field of pediatric infectious diseases. The Society continually promotes and demands professional excellence, integrity and exemplary conduct as it forges on as a leader in pediatric health care.
- The Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases or PSMID is the country’s leading professional association of specialists in infectious diseases and microbiology. Among its ranks are members who are the pillars of the subspecialty in the Philippines, eminent practitioners of national and international stature and stars in the academe. Both quality and reputation of its members allow the Society to soar to heights of achievements.
- Immunization Partners in Asia Pacific (IPAP) is a non-stock, non-profit organization committed to the development of a strong, progressive and dynamic movement that engages all stakeholders toward the realization of its vision through collaboration, cooperation, coordination, communication, consultation and partnership.
- The Confederation of Meningitis Organizations Inc. (CoMO) is an international member organization working to reduce the incidence and impact of meningitis worldwide.
- CoMO brings together patient groups, health professionals and organizations, meningitis survivors and families from more than 25 countries to help prevent meningitis through: 1. Raising public awareness of meningitis through education 2. Advocating for meningitis vaccines to be available to families worldwide 3. Connecting and resourcing a strong global network of members who make sure their communities have access to meningitis information and support.
- CoMO was founded in September 2004 at the World Conference of Meningitis Organizations when delegates from across the world agreed to work together in the fight against meningitis. Today, CoMO represents 43 member organizations from 28 countries.
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