Nutrition and immunisations

2.5.2013

Question for written answer E-004908-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Gay Mitchell (PPE)

Despite a dramatic decline in child mortality over the past two decades, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), approximately seven million children die every year from mostly preventable causes. Globally, infectious diseases account for almost two-thirds of under-five deaths. Many of these deaths occur in children already weakened by undernutrition. Worldwide, more than one-third of all under-five deaths are attributable to malnutrition. Children who are malnourished are nine times more likely to die from infectious diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria or measles.

Immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions that can dramatically reduce child mortality rates.

80% of the world’s undernourished children live in just 20 of the poorest countries. Two-thirds of unimmunised children live in just 10 of the poorest countries.

Life-changing vaccines not only provide protection against the leading causes of death in children under five, but also contribute to decreasing vulnerability to malnutrition.

1. How will the Commission increase its focus on routine immunisation programmes in coordination with efforts to combat malnutrition in its development policy as part of its commitment to child survival?

2. How will the Commission ensure that funding to improve child survival, including combating malnutrition and protecting children from vaccine-preventable deaths, is allocated where it will have the greatest impact and will be most effective?

OJ C 80 E, 19/03/2014