MEDIA RELEASE
13 May 2005
Wellchild/Tamariki Ora Week –
Eat your fruit & veg & get your MeNZB™ vaccination
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board member, former plunket nurse, and grandmother of seven, Joan Sye, says she’ll be out
and about during WellChild week happy that all her grandchildren will be having their MeNZB™ vaccinations.
“While the official theme of the week is to eat five plus a day servings of colourful fruit and vegetables…no amount of
fruit and vegetables will protect my grandkids from meningococcal B disease.
“Over the years as a registered nurse, plunket nurse and early childhood educator, I’ve seen the devastating effects
this killer disease can have on our children. Those lucky enough to survive are frequently left with life-long
disabilities.
“It’s up to parents and caregivers to make the right choice for those who are too young to decide for themselves…the
MeNZB™ vaccination is the only way to protect our young ones.”
“Why risk it, when the vaccine can protect them?” Joan Sye said.
“I wholeheartedly support the ‘colourful eating’ theme for WellChild week, Making fresh fruit salad and home-made soup
is a great way to fill those hungry tummies and much cheaper than those sweet fillers that are bad for teeth,” Joan
said.
Joan Sye penned the following ‘ditty’ to mark WellChild Week 2005
The times tables for health:
Daily eat fruit and vegetables times five
Hawke’s Bay produce keep us fit and alive
Lurking in the wings is a deadly disease
Vaccinate your Tamariki with MeNZB™ please
END