Para-athletes Ellie Challis (left), Théo Curin (middle), and Davide Morana (right) fly the Meningitis Flag - a symbol of determination and hope to defeat this deadly disease. — Photo courtesy of Sanofi Vietnam

On World Meningitis Day on October 5, the global healthcare company Sanofi continues to bring even greater visibility and support in the fight against meningitis through ‘The Meningitis Flag’.

The Meningitis Flag is a global initiative delivered in partnership between the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) and the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), as well as para-athletes.

The flag has been inspired and launched with the support of para-athletes Ellie Challis (Great Britain), Théo Curin (France), and Davide Morana (Italy) who were affected by meningitis at the ages of 16 months, six years and 24 years, respectively. The para-athletes will use the flag in upcoming international competitions to raise awareness of the disease.

The unique initiative seeks to unite the world in the fight against the disease which ranks as one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.

With its three colours of yellow, purple and blue, the Meningitis Flag serves as an instantly recognisable symbol to raise awareness and understanding of the disease.

Burak Pekmezci, general manager of Sanofi Vaccines, Viet Nam and Cambodia, said the company has a successful history of working tirelessly to innovate and provide access to vaccinations to help in the fight against meningitis in Viet Nam.

It has joined forces with the meningitis community to create and fly the Meningitis Flag, a symbol of determination and hope, to unite the world so that one day people can defeat meningitis.

“We cannot do this alone, we need your help in spreading the word about this devastating disease, so together let’s fly the Meningitis Flag,” he said.

Each year, more than 2.5 million people globally are affected by Meningitis, which is largely preventable through vaccination.

The threat posed by meningitis is substantial as the global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in decreased immunity levels worldwide, coupled with a decline in vaccination rates. Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

It can occur at any age and progress rapidly, leaving little time to act, and it can lead to death within 24 hours. — VNS