Vaccination Programs Avert 3.4 Million Deaths: Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization

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CDC 10/29/08

GLOBAL: " Vaccination Programs Avert 3.4 Million Deaths: Global Alliance for

Vaccines and Immunization "

Agence France Presse (10.28.08)

Vaccine programs targeting hepatitis and meningitis in the world's poorest

countries will have saved the lives of 3.4 million people by the end of 2008,

the public-private Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization said Wednesday.

In its latest report, GAVI said the hepatitis B vaccine is projected to reach

192.2 million children by the end of 2008, up from the previous 155.7 million.

" With 2.5 million deaths averted through vaccination against hepatitis B alone,

this is GAVI's single biggest success story, " the alliance said. The cumulative

number of children benefitting from the Hib (Haemophilus influenza type

vaccine is projected to rise to 41.7 million by year's end, up from 28.2 million

in 2007. In the period from 2000 to 2008, GAVI-supported vaccines will have

reached 213 million children. " These numbers show the positive results of

investment in human lives, " said GAVI Executive Secretary n Lob-Levyt.