Media Center :: Press Releases

While the media focus on the H1N1 vaccine, an equally important story is being overlooked. The global health community set a world record this year with vaccines based on a report from the WHO, World Bank and UNICEF. More children than ever are vaccinated against diseases such as polio and measles. New vaccines offer even more hope that we can win the fight against the leading child killer, pneumonia, which claims almost two million young lives each year.

Yet while vaccinations are at world record highs, we are still not done offering every child the chance to grow up safely and healthy. Almost one in five children born each year does not receive all of the immunizations they need before their first birthday. Children continue to die needlessly from diseases that we rarely think about in the United States.

On Nov. 2 the global community will join hands for the first World Pneumonia Day. We have the power to protect children. With champions for children such U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, together we can gain enough momentum to stand for the world's children.

JEANETTE ADAMS, assistant professor, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables