The incredible milestone was reached thanks to Pampers ‘1 pack = 1 vaccine’ campaign in partnership with UNICEF, which is now in its 12th year of changing lives.
The life-saving campaign sees Pampers donating 1 vaccine for every nappy purchased in the UK between October and December.
Maternal and Newborn Tetanus (MNT) is a deadly disease which can be passed from mother to newborn through unhygienic birthing practices, such as cutting the umbilical cord with un-sterile instruments.
Since 2006 Pampers, together with other partners, has helped UNICEF reduce MNT related deaths from 128,000 to 34,000 a year – an amazing 73 per cent reduction.
Their latest effort has seen them wipe out the devastating disease from the Equatorial Guinea, located in central Africa.
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It is a nation in serious need, with less than half of the population having access to clean drinking water and 20 per cent of children dying before they reach the age of five.
Will Zeck, Head of the Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Unit at UNICEF commented: “Thanks to the support of Pampers and parents, we have been able to tick yet another country off our list of nations threatened by MNT.
“Although this disease is one of the most painful ways for a baby to die, it is easily preventable.
“Our challenge is to ensure the women living in poor and remote communities across the globe have access to this life saving vaccine, to ensure it can’t be passed onto their newborns.
“Just one Pampers UNICEF pack helps us do this – it helps us save lives.”
There are currently 53 million women across 18 countries where MNT remains a threat.
Shocking statistics show more than 95 per cent of the babies suffering from MNT and who have no access to treatment facilities will sadly die.
Even more terrifying, with 34,000 infant deaths a year, this is the equivalent to one death every 15 minutes.
Scott Popham, Pampers Communications Manager, commented: “We’re extremely proud to work alongside UNICEF and to have played a part in saving the lives of over half a million newborn babies.
“Pampers is dedicated to the healthy, happy development of every baby and offering protection against MNT is a part of this commitment.
“For every pack of Pampers purchased with the UNICEF logo, we will continue to donate a vaccine, with the aim to eliminate this disease world-wide.”
To help Pampers and UNICEF save lives, simply purchase a pack marked with the UNICEF logo between October 1st and December 31st, and Pampers will donate the equivalent cost of one vaccine.