PERTH, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Original fifth graph of press release included an error and should be removed.

The corrected release reads:

THE CONFEDERATION OF MENINGITIS ORGANISATIONS (COMO) LAUNCHES THE FIRST WORLD MENINGITIS DAY TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PROMOTE VACCINATION

The Confederation of Meningitis Organizations (CoMO) announced today that its member organizations in nearly 20 countries are uniting together to mark Saturday, April 25, 2009 as the first-ever World Meningitis Day with the goal of raising public awareness about the disease and promoting pediatric and adult vaccination.

To commemorate World Meningitis Day, CoMO invites everyone to virtually “Join Hands” in the fight against meningitis at CoMOonline.org. The global effort will include a variety of events aimed at encouraging communities to get involved and raise awareness about the dangers of meningitis.

For example, in the United States, World Meningitis Day walks will be held in three states (Colorado, Wisconsin and New Jersey) to raise funds for vaccine research and to help those afflicted with permanent disabilities. In Spain, five cities will host World Meningitis Day Family Festivals, offering games and activities designed to increase meningitis awareness and to raise money for research. And in Australia, the local CoMO members will run educational ads in local newspapers and distribute free promotional t-shirts and flyers.

“Almost every day, meningitis and septicaemia kill and maim children, young people and adults the world over,” said Bruce Langoulant, the President of CoMO and chair of Western Australia’s Meningitis Centre. “We invite everyone to join with us on World Meningitis Day to raise awareness and help prevent meningitis from happening in your community.”

“It is vital that everyone has access to information, access to vaccines and access to quality care for those who have already been affected.”

“We created CoMO nearly five years ago to bring together organisations that help educate people about meningitis, to improve access to vaccines and to ensure that people have the support they need to battle the impact of this devastating disease. The launch of the first ever World Meningitis Day helps to bring us all together in the global fight against meningitis.”

About CoMO: CoMO, founded in September 2004 at the close of a World Conference of Meningitis Organizations, is committed to the elimination of meningitis and septicaemia and helps member organizations be sustainable, identifiable and influential sources for information and support services for those people affected by meningitis in their regions and united in their endeavors globally.

About Meningitis: Meningitis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection causing inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord (meninges). While viral meningitis is the most common form, bacterial meningitis is the most serious often resulting in brain damage, deafness, limb loss or death.