Nigeria: In World First, Nigeria Introduces New 5-in-1 Vaccine Against Meningitis

In a historic move, Nigeria has become the first country in the world to roll out a new vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization , which protects people against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria. The vaccine and emergency vaccination activities are funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which funds the global meningitis vaccine stockpile, and supports lower-income countries with routine vaccination against meningitis.

Meningitis is a serious infection that leads to the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. There are multiple causes of meningitis, including viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens. Symptoms often include headache, fever and stiff neck. Bacterial meningitis is the most serious, can also result in septicaemia , and can seriously disable or kill within 24 hours those that contract it.

The new vaccine has the potential to significantly reduce meningitis cases and advance progress in defeating meningitis. This is especially important for countries like Nigeria where multiple serogroups are prevalent. The new vaccine uses the same technology as the meningitis A conjugate vaccine , which wiped out meningococcal A epidemics in Nigeria.

In July 2023, WHO prequalified the new Men5CV vaccine and in October 2023 issued an official recommendation to countries to introduce the new vaccine. Gavi allocated resources for the Men5CV rollout in December 2023, which is currently available for outbreak response through the emergency stockpile managed by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision, while roll-out through mass preventive campaigns is expected to start in 2025 across countries of the Meningitis Belt.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

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