The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) Applauds the Actions of the Government of Hong Kong!

Bruce Langoulant, President of the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), applauds the Government of Hong Kong on the inclusion of a new vaccine to the Childhood Immunisation Program (CIP).

The 7-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, available from today, will protect all Hong Kong children born after 1 September, 2007 from Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD).

"The inclusion of the vaccine to the childhood immunisation program is a significant milestone for Hong Kong and its children," said Mr Langoulant. "IPD is a devastating disease, and the death of just one child is too high a price to pay when a vaccine is readily available," said Mr Langoulant.

"By providing the vaccine, free of charge, to infants across Hong Kong and Macau as part of their regular immunisation program, the Government of Hong Kong is proactively protecting young children from a disease that can take a child's life within 24 hours of the initial signs and symptoms of infection," added Mr Langoulant.

Hong Kong is the first region in Asia to provide for free the 7-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine to infants born on or after 1 September, 2007. Approximately 70,000 infants are expected to be immunised each year.

"Many governments across Asia are still reviewing data and assessing the cost of implementing a national immunisation program, but Hong Kong has taken the lead to protect their children from this disease," Mr Langoulant said. "We implore governments of all other countries in Asia to follow Hong Kong's lead."

The news relating to Hong Kong's immunisation program is welcomed by CoMO and has particular significance, as the first Global CoMO Conference to be held in the Asia Pacific region will be held in Hong Kong in early October.

The CoMO Conference will bring together organisations and patient groups from across the globe that work to raise awareness of diseases such as meningitis and IPD and provide support for families and educational resources.

By hosting the global conference in Asia, CoMO plan to formalise relationships and provide a strong network for the future development of meningitis organisations within the region.

"We are excited about the opportunity to see the IPD immunisation program in action and to celebrate with the people that have worked so hard to see the inclusion of this vaccine to the childhood immunisation program come about," added Mr Langoulant.

For further information or to coordinate and interview with CoMO President, Mr Bruce Langoulant, please contact: Andrea Brady – andreabrady01@gmail or +64 212 545 324.

FACT SHEET The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) was established in 2004 to be a global voice for the organisations and patient groups which continue to be formed to raise awareness about meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning)

CoMO was founded at the close of the 2004 World Conference of Meningitis Organisations. Attended by 43 delegates representing 20 meningitis and children's health organisations from 14 countries, the conference allowed attendees to learn and share best practices about education, awareness and

support programs.

Encouraged by the information shared at the meeting, 20 delegates representing various meningitis and advocacy groups, formed CoMO in order to help support the fight against meningitis by emphasizing the global burden of the disease and supporting the establishment of new meningitis and children's health

organisations.

CoMO is now comprised of 26 meningitis and children's health organisations and 7 individual advocates from around the world.

CoMO is dedicated to assisting member organisations to be sustainable, identifiable and influential sources for information and support services for people affected by meningitis in their regions. They are united in their endeavours globally through their membership of CoMO, and by their commitment to the elimination of meningitis and associated septicaemia.

Meningitis and septicaemia kill and maim many thousands of people around the world each year.

Meningitis is the name given to the inflammation of the membranes, called the meninges, which surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by many different organisms including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Some of the bacteria can also cause septicaemia as well as meningitis.

However, until there are vaccines against all causative bacteria it is vital to know the signs and symptoms and the actions to take.

The media play a critical role in helping CoMO educate parents and healthcare practitioners about the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, as well as informing them of support services.

For more information about CoMO and its members in your region, please visit:

SOURCE: The Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO)

--Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--

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