Mother Talkers

One Pack = One Vaccine

by gloria

Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 08:48:12 AM PDT

I admire celebrities. Not for their lifestyle, or their money (ok, maybe a little for their money), but for being tapped by organizations who wish to use their celebrity to raise awareness on certain issues. Take for example Salma Hayek. This new mommy was tapped by Pampers and Unicef for their One Pack = One Vaccine campaign.

For every specially-marked pack of Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive, Swaddlers, Cruisers, and Easy Ups diapers and Pampers Sensitive, Swipers, and Clean ‘n Go wipes purchased in the U.S. and Canada from April 7 through August 31, 2008, the Pampers brand will donate 5¢ to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to provide one tetanus vaccine to a woman in the developing world.* The goal for the U.S. campaign is 45 million vaccines, which would bring the total global donations to more than 70 million vaccines.

Exactly what is tetanus? Before seeing Salma Hayek on Oprah, all I knew about tetanus was if you cut yourself with something rusty, you need to get a tetanus vaccine...STAT. But now I know that Tetanus is a serious but preventable disease that affects the body's muscles and nerves...and is VERY painful.  

Another form of tetanus, neonatal tetanus, occurs in newborns who are delivered in unsanitary conditions, especially if the umbilical cord stump becomes contaminated. Prior to immunizations, neonatal tetanus was much more common in the United States. Now, routine immunizations for tetanus produce antibodies that mothers pass to their unborn babies. These maternal antibodies and sanitary cord-care techniques have made newborn tetanus very rare in developed countries.

Why Tetanus? Because in developing countries, Tetanus has a fatality rate as high as 70 to 100%...and the vaccine costs 5 cents. By being vaccinated against tetanus, mothers and their babies are easily protected against this terrible disease.

I must admit that I was a bit touched when I saw Salma Hayek on Oprah; but it wasn't until I saw this Pampers commercial the following day, that I decided to do my part and let my fellow Mothertalkers know about this program. I don't know if it's because I'm currently pre-menstrual, but this commercial made me cry my eyes out. I thought it was very powerful...and very sweet.

So, I would like to ask our pregnant Mothertalkers, to send me an email at gloria (at) mothertalkers (dot) com, and provide me with your address so that I can send you all a little something, courtesy of your founding Mothertalkers, Elisa, Erika and me...

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Tags: One Pack = One Vaccine, Pampers, Unicef, Tetanus, Salma Hayek, Oprah (all tags)

Permalink | 10 comments

  • good ol' UNICEF (0 / 0)

    Masters at squeezing the maximum publicity out of the absolute minimum health gain.

    I have nothing against Pampers, mind you; it's a fine product and if you're going to buy it anyway then a dose of vaccine is a bonus.  But if you want to save the lives of women and children it's better to support an organization that actually does this.  UNICEF deprioritized direct intervention in children's health more than a decade ago, but few people outside of the world health community seem to realize this.

    by lyn on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 10:39:49 AM PDT

    • what do you mean? (0 / 0)

      Can you please explain what you mean by "UNICEF deprioritized direct intervention in children't health more than a decade ago"? As it stands, your comment just seems critical for no clear reason. Are you saying UNICEF does not save the lives of women and children? Ever?

      by Erika on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 11:48:43 AM PDT

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      • no, sometimes they do (0 / 0)

        What I'm saying is that UNICEF no longer does much of the kind of work it became famous for back in the 50s.  I don't think this is a terribly controversial statement; international medical journals have been vocal in their criticism.  UNICEF changed it's focus when it came under the leadership of  Carol Bellamy back in the early 90s and is now primarily an advocacy organization.  Their rationale is that they will have more long term impact if they focus their efforts on persuading foreign governments to change their policies.

        Bellamy left a couple of years ago, and some have suggested that under new leadership UNICEF could return to a focus on direct aid to children.  I honestly don't know whether there's been any progress on that front. UNICEF still does important work, even if it's a mixed bag.  But I prefer to support groups that prioritize saving lives over lobbying foreign governments.  

        by lyn on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 12:32:38 PM PDT

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  • I don't know (0 / 0)

    a lot of about UNICEF, but this program sounds to me like it will save lives.

    I don't buy diapers on my own any more, but I will buy a package for each new mom I will be buying a gift for in the coming months.

    by Lisa in Austin on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 03:18:08 PM PDT

    • You know... (0 / 0)

      that's EXACTLY how I felt. Did you happen to see the commercial that I linked? I'm telling you, it made me cry like a baby!

      by gloria on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 04:12:22 PM PDT

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    • We could argue about (0 / 0)

      whether UNICEF is approaching it in the best or worst way, but the fact is that they are working toward a goal that I'm personally interested in. In addition to that, in this particular instance the 5 pennies that goes to vaccinating one person makes a difference for that woman. As far as I'm concerned, that's enough.

      "We've GOT to make noises in greater amounts! So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts!"

      by progressiveinky on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 05:18:53 PM PDT

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      • whatever the motivations (0 / 0)

        In UNICEF's defense I've always heard that when donors target their funds to a particular cause, the money in fact goes to that cause.  It's the general fund - the larger share, I think, including 100% of US govt support as well as the trick or treat money - that goes to lobbying.

        I'm still inclined to give the credit to Pampers here.  Obviously I've got a lot of issues with UNICEF, who could and should be doing so much more, but every cent put toward global health is badly needed and shouldn't be disparaged.

        by lyn on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 07:22:50 PM PDT

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    • BTW (0 / 0)

      that wasn't meant to be an attack-- just a statement.

      "We've GOT to make noises in greater amounts! So, open your mouth, lad! For every voice counts!"

      by progressiveinky on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 05:20:30 PM PDT

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  • Glad to know all the money I'm spending on (0 / 0)

    Pampers will do some good. I've got one in diapers(Cami who is 1) and another due in July so I will be making a regular contribution to the cause. That commercial and listening to Salma Hayek speak on the subject was heartbreaking.

    by kwetsel on Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 05:44:43 PM PDT

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