Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The Health Department in Laos has started a campaign for free vaccinations against meningitis and pneumonia for children over one year old, for fighting the new influenza. The new pentavalent vaccine is also potent against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and hepatitis B. Thus, one injection contains 5 vaccines. For total immunization, a total of three injections of this vaccine are needed. The vaccine is available at all government-run health centers. For the launch of the Integrated Package of Maternal Neonatal and Child Health Services and the campaign for the new vaccine, the Laos Health Department has issued a statement saying that meningitis and pneumonia cause many deaths among Laotian children every year and there is a great need to improve mother-child health services. It also mentioned that immunization and medical prevention, therefore, are a duty in this sense. Nearly 1,000 women die each year in Laos as a result of complications during a pregnancy or in giving birth. This is one of the highest mortality rates in Asia. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 11/09/2009)
