Support UNICEF

Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine initiative

What is newborn tetanus?
The tetanus bacteria breeds in soil, animal dung and faeces, and can come into contact with babies at the very moment of their birth – in unhygienic surroundings. The disease rages through newborns within days of their exposure to the tetanus bacteria and almost always leads to a swift and painful death. Newborn tetanus is responsible for 5-7% of today’s infant deaths. (1)

Nearly a third of births in less industrialized countries are delivered by untrained helpers, family members or by just the mother. (2) Cutting the baby’s umbilical cord with non-sterilized instruments can lead to infection Furthermore there are long-held traditions of not tying the cord or ‘sealing’ it with dung or mud.

Why is it a problem?
Every 3 minutes tetanus claims the life of one new born baby.(1) It is unacceptable that this disease still claims the lives of up to 30,000 mothers (1) and 140,000 babies,(3) each year despite the fact that it is preventable through an inexpensive vaccination.

Is my baby at risk?
There is a very low risk. In much of the world, maternal and newborn tetanus is a disease that no longer threatens the lives of babies, and their mothers. In the industrialized world, most mothers and children are protected through a routine vaccination called tetanus toxic and most mothers deliver in a health facility in the presence of a midwife or a medical doctor. It is a tale of two worlds.

Why are vaccines important?
If a mother is vaccinated with 2 doses of tetanus toxoid vaccine, she passes her immunity onto her baby, who is protected for the first two months of life. She herself is also protected against tetanus for three years.(4)Sadly, many of the poorest people in less industrialized countries have little or no access to health services and do not have this protection.

What can I do to help?
The Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine initiative aims to protect the world’s most vulnerable mothers and babies against this killer disease. For every 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine product bought during campaign periods (while stocks last), Pampers will provide UNICEF with funding for a life-saving vaccine to help a mother and baby in need.

What has the campaign achieved so far?
To date, the global Pampers UNICEF 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine initiative has helped raise over 50 million vaccines (5) and aims to raise a further 200 million for UNICEF over the next three years, helping to protect the lives of mothers and babies around the globe.

How many vaccinations will the South African campaign raise?
The campaign aims to raise the cost of 3 million vaccines

If tetanus is not such a big problem in South Africa, what is Pampers doing to support UNICEF locally?
On top of the donation of the cost of 3 million tetanus vaccines Pampers is helping UNICEF South Africa in the amazing work they are doing around illnesses related to HIV and malnutrition. The support includes cash donations, retail partner’s support and marketing support.

What packs are involved in the initiative?
Pampers New Baby Carry Pack and Value Pack
Pampers Active Baby Value Pack, Value Pack Plus, Jumbo Pack and Mega Pack
Pampers Sleep & Play Jumbo Pack
Pampers Lets Go Value Pack and Jumbo Pack
Pampers Baby Fresh Wipes Quattro Pack

References: 1. M Roper, J Vandelaer and Gasse The Lancet, vol 370, 1947 – 1959. 2. UNICEF, The State of the World’s Children, 2008. 3. UNICEF, Preliminary Estimate, 2004. 4. WHO, Eliminating neonatal tetanus – how near, how far, 1996. 5. P&G sales analysis diaper, wipes and matching customer donations – UK 2006 & WE 2007