Pampers and UNICEF have joined forces for the third year in their continued commitment to ensure the protection of millions of mothers and babies against maternal and newborn tetanus.  This year’s Pampers campaign will support UNICEF in its work to help countries achieve the goal of eliminating maternal and newborn tetanus by 2012*.

To date Pampers in the UK has donated the funding for over 23 million vaccines to UNICEF.  In its debut year (2006) funding for 7.5 million vaccines was raised, with the figure doubling last year which funded over 15.5 million vaccines.

The ‘1 pack = 1 vaccine’ campaign, which has exceeded all expectations to date, is continuously striving to raise the bar. Pampers is hoping to double the number of vaccines again for the 2008 campaign, and fund as many as 32 million vaccines, offering the gift of life to those who might otherwise lose their lives before they have truly begun.

UNICEF spokesperson Mayaz Rahman commented on the campaign, “Our partnership with Pampers really will save lives. This year’s campaign will give vital support to UNICEF in our work to help countries eliminate Tetanus, ensuring that millions of mothers and newborns globally are protected from this life threatening disease and have the chance to experience the joy of a healthy childhood.”

The 'silent killer'

Every year, maternal and newborn tetanus kills approximately 170,000 mothers and babies around the world.  Although through routine vaccination it is no longer a threat in the west, tetanus continues to kill in developing countries throughout the world.

Also known as the ‘silent killer’, the true extent of the tetanus death toll is not fully known since the population at the highest risk of contracting the disease tends to live in rural areas with little or no access to health care services or education.  In such rural areas births and deaths are generally not recorded.

A global goal

Pampers External Relations Manager Aimee Goldsmith says, “Working with UNICEF for the third year, we now have a vision of eliminating tetanus globally in our sights. This is way beyond anything we could imagine when Pampers UK began the campaign in 2006. Now on a global scale we remain passionate and committed to the work we are doing with UNICEF, helping to save the lives of vulnerable mothers and their babies around the world".

Tetanus is caused by bacteria that live in soil.  Newborns are often infected as a result of unhygienic birth practices, such as cutting the umbilical cord with un-sterile instruments or handling it with dirty hands.  Once contracted, there is no real cure. More than 95% of babies who suffer from newborn tetanus and who have no access to treatment facilities will die.
Maternal and newborn tetanus can be prevented through simple injections given during pregnancy, to protect both a mother and her unborn child during this vulnerable period. Following administration of the tetanus vaccine to a pregnant mother, the antibodies pass across the placenta to her foetus.

Pampers cares for the development of every baby around the world and continuously works in partnership with NGOs, charity organisations and many, many hospitals and health professionals to help to make a difference. Some of the many initiatives which demonstrate Pampers ongoing commitment to vulnerable and disadvantaged babies around the world include education programmes for mothers and mothers-to be, training schemes for physicians and nurses, and the donation of equipment for maternity wards and orphanages.

Find out more

• Donate to the UNICEF and Pampers tetanus appeal
• Read more about the Pampers partnership

* UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) believe that the goal of eliminating maternal and newborn tetanus could be possible by 2012. UNICEF’s goal is to support countries in achieving maternal and newborn tetanus elimination.