October 21, 2008 The New Times (Kigali) By Edwin Musoni The
Washington-based, U.S. National Press Club together with the
Pneumococcal Awareness Council of Experts (PACE) will on Friday
this week recognize and honour the Ministry of Health for its
ground-breaking efforts to introduce a pneumococcal vaccine in
Africa. Pneumococcal is a bacteria that causes meningitis.
Rwanda was the first African country to introduce the
pneumococcal vaccine in Africa and has since been leading the
way on the continent. [See note.] Before the introduction of the
vaccine, Rwanda had one of the highest rates of pneumococcal
infections in the world and to date the country has one of the
strongest immunization programs in Africa. According to a press
statement, as countries around the world consider the inclusion
of pneumococcal vaccines in their immunization programs, this
event will demonstrate the global need and broad international
support for increased efforts to prevent pneumococcal disease.
When contacted on the day’s arrang