APPG holds Annual General Meeting (15 Jan 2008)

On January the 15th, 2008, members of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Pneumococcal Disease Prevention in the Developing World held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election of officers in Portcullis House.

Attending members unanimously voted to re-elect Dr Desmond Turner MP as Chair of the Group as well as all other office holders.

Re-elected Chair, Dr Turner said 2008 will enable the APPG to further educate Parliamentarians and the public of the burden of pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis in developing nations.

"The APPG will continue its work increasing public knowledge of pneumococcal disease and the current processes in place to combat this disease.

"Pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis are responsible for 800,000 to one million child deaths each year and 90% of pneumococcal pneumonia deaths in children occur in developing countries."

At the AGM, the group also discussed the activities planned for 2008 including preparations for a formal All Party Group Report that will be published in the summer.

The Report will focus on the AMC process and the disease burden of pneumococcal disease.

The Executive Committee is listed below:

Chair Dr. Desmond Turner MP Labour

Vice-Chairs Lord Dholakia Liberal Democrat Baroness Whitaker Labour

Secretaries Jim Dobbin MP Labour Timothy Boswell MP Conservative

Treasurer Dr. Howard Stoate MP Labour