Pfizer and Parents Magazine Team Up to Educate Parents About a
Serious Disease That Can Put a Child’s Life at Risk
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), in partnership with Parents magazine
(NYSE:MDP), announced today the results of a national survey of more
than 2,000 new and expectant parents assessing their knowledge of
childhood infectious diseases, such as measles, whooping cough and
invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), and the measures parents can take
to help prevent them.
Conducted online by Harris Poll, the survey found that parents were
least knowledgeable about IPD, when compared among 11 childhood
illnesses. In fact, only three of every 10 (30%) parents of children
under two years of age and expectant parents report they are
knowledgeable about IPD.1 Although IPD may be discussed in
well-child visits, nearly one in four (23%) have never even heard of it,
illustrating the need for more education.1,2
IPD is a serious disease that can include pneumococcal meningitis or a
bloodstream infection (pneumococcal bacteremia).3 Even an ear
infection can sometimes develop into IPD. 3
The bacteria that cause IPD can spread through the air with a cough, by
direct contact with toys, or by direct contact with saliva or mucus.3,4,5
Many people, especially children, can have the bacteria in their nose or
throat without becoming sick themselves.4 Among children,
babies under two years old are at highest risk, and they can be infected
almost anywhere they are.4,5
While many new and expectant parents recognize other serious diseases by
name, the survey findings suggest that IPD remains a mystery.1
By comparison, more than twice as many are knowledgeable about pertussis
(whooping cough) (69%), measles (68%), polio (64%), Hepatitis B (63%),
and mumps (63%).1
“The first few years of parenthood are a series of learning experiences,
but when it comes to infectious diseases, such as IPD, it’s best to be
as prepared as possible,” said board-certified pediatrician Dr. Jen
Trachtenberg, a nationally renowned parenting expert and contributor to Parents
magazine. “It’s important parents stay informed, recognize common
symptoms—such as fever, chills, headache, and irritability—and, most
importantly, talk to their pediatrician about how to best keep their
child safe.”3,5
Today, many of these potentially dangerous infections, like invasive
pneumococcal disease, are still occurring in the U.S.5
Children under two years of age are at a higher risk for getting certain
childhood diseases because their immune systems aren’t fully developed.5
Parents should consult their baby’s healthcare provider during regular
well-child visits throughout the first years of life.6 Even
when a baby’s health seems fine, regular check-ups during the first two
years can help ensure a baby receives the recommended preventive care.6
“As a longstanding, trusted resource, we aim to help parents navigate
the often confusing, often scary aspects of health and safety news,”
said Liz Vaccariello, Editor-in-Chief of Parents. “While most
parents surveyed (62%) report it is important to keep their babies
current with vaccinations, many still have questions about the diseases
they are vaccinating against. It is for that reason we are committed to
ensuring parents have the tools they need so they can make well-informed
decisions for their children.”1
There are resources online from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) for parents to learn more about protecting their baby,
including the CDC
Recommended Immunization Schedule. Additionally, for information
specific to IPD, please visit BabyPneumococcalFacts.com.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Poll, on
behalf of Pfizer and Parents magazine, between June 16 and July
8, 2016. It included 2,216 U.S. adults ages 18+ who are either expectant
mothers in their third trimester and/or parents (both mothers and
fathers) of child(ren) two years old or younger. Figures for age, sex,
race/ethnicity, education, region, household income, household size,
marital status, and employment status were weighted where necessary to
bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.
Meredith Corporation
Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com)
has been committed to service journalism for more than 110 years. Today,
Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms – including broadcast
television, print, digital, mobile and video – to provide consumers with
content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and
marketing partners.
Meredith's National Media Group reaches more than 100 million
unduplicated women every month, including nearly 75 percent of U.S.
Millennial women. Meredith is the leader in creating and distributing
content across platforms in key consumer interest areas such as food,
home, parenting and health through well-known brands such as Better
Homes and Gardens, Allrecipes, Parents and Shape.
Meredith also features robust brand licensing activities, including more
than 3,000 SKUs of branded products at 4,000 Walmart stores across the
U.S. Meredith Xcelerated Marketing is an award-winning, strategic and
creative agency that provides fully integrated marketing solutions for
many of the world’s top brands, including Kraft, Lowe’s, TGI Friday’s
and NBC Universal.
Meredith's Local Media Group includes 19 owned or operated television
stations reaching 11 percent of U.S. households. Meredith's portfolio is
concentrated in large, fast-growing markets, with seven stations in the
nation's Top 25 – including Atlanta, Phoenix, St. Louis and Portland –
and 13 in Top 50 markets. Meredith's stations produce over 660 hours of
local news and entertainment content each week, and operate leading
local digital destinations.
Working together for a healthier world®
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies
to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive
to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery,
development and manufacture of health care products. Our global
portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world's
best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues
work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness,
prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases
of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's
premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with
health care providers, governments and local communities to support and
expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For
more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who
rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to
investors on our website at www.pfizer.com.
In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com
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1 Pfizer/Parents – Pediatric IPD Survey. 16 June 2016
– 8 July 2016. Data on file.
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2016
Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth Through 6 Years Old. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/downloads/parent-ver-sch-0-6yrs.pdf.
Updated January, 2016. Accessed on December 20, 2016.
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal
disease symptoms and complications. http://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/about/symptoms-complications.html.
Updated June 10, 2015. Accessed September 30, 2015.
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Pneumococcal disease. In: Hamborsky J, Kroger A, Wolfe C, eds.
Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink
Book). 13th ed. Washington DC: Public Health Foundation; 2015:279-296. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html.
Accessed December 20, 2016.
5 Offit PA, Quarles J, Gerber MA, Hackett CJ, Marcuse EK,
Kollman TR, et al. Addressing parents’ concerns: do multiple vaccines
overwhelm or weaken the immune system? Pediatrics. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/109/1/124.
2002;109(1):124–9.
6 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). AAP Schedule of
Well-Child Care Visits. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/Pages/Well-Child-Care-A-Check-Up-for-Success.aspx.
Published December 18, 2015. Accessed August 2, 2016.
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Source: Pfizer Inc.