Press Release
MP’S Appeal To Churches For Poorest Children
Local MP Tom Clarke has written to all the Churches and Faith Groups seeking their help in a campaign designed to support vaccinations for children in the poorest parts of the world.
Mr Clarke said:
“Worldwide, nearly 29,000 children under the age of five, die every day – that is one every three seconds. The great tragedy is that 25% of these deaths – 2 to 3 million per year – are attributable to diseases that are, or soon will be, vaccine preventable.”
The MP emphasised,
“Immunising a child costs approximately £20 and could save his or her life. Immunisation provides tremendous benefits at low cost: preventing disease before it takes root, protecting children when they are most vulnerable and providing them with a healthy start in life”.
Explaining the scheme further Tom Clarke said,”> The International Finance Facility for Immunisation is a new way of paying for immunisation programmes in the poorest countries. By asking Governments, individuals and communities to make legally binding commitments to provide funds over the long term can raise billions of pounds to invest in vaccination and immunisation. The Government has committed £1.38 billion over the next twenty years. The money raised can be used straight away to support health services in poor countries to save lives now and prevent the spread of disease”.
“By raising the money in this way, long term commitments are turned to immediate funds to pay for vaccines in the worlds’ poorest countries. By vaccinating people there, especially children, we will prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths – and by taking action now, the poorest countries will not need as much assistance in the future”.
The MP concluded:
“I am absolutely delighted to report that a number of churches have replied to my letter and invited me along to address their congregation. Saving the lives of the poorest children in our world through this practical plan of immunisation will gain massive support throughout our communities.”