Meningitis campaign sees Pfizer team up with Paralympic athlete

Pfizer has teamed up with Paralympic athlete and meningitis survivor Amy Purdy to raise awareness for the disease.

The 'Take Action Against Meningitis' campaign aims to encourage parents of teenagers and young adults to talk to healthcare professionals about vaccines and how they can protect their child from meningococcal meningitis.

For every parent that pledges to look out for the illness, Pfizer will donate up to $20,000 (13,191 pounds) to Adaptive Action Sports, a not-for-profit organisation that creates opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities to take part in action sports.

Ms Purdy is the perfect partner for the campaign as she herself contracted the illness when she was 19, leading her to lose both her legs below the knee, her spleen and to have a kidney transplant.

However, she didn't let this stop her taking up snowboarding and going on to have great success in the sport.

"My mum and I are excited to be part of Take Action Against Meningitis and are challenging parents to learn more about meningococcal meningitis," Ms Purdy stated.

Pfizer's recent accomplishments in meningitis involve approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for its B vaccine Trumenba in October 2014.