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World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Nigeria as the first country to roll out the 5-1 vaccine against meningitis. The historic move is especially important for countries like Nigeria where multiple serogroups re prevalent, says WHO.
According to WHO, the vaccine (called Men5CV) protects people against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria (A, C, W, Y, and X) in a single shot. The Men5CV uses the same technology as the meningitis A conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac®), which successfully eradicated meningococcal A epidemics in Nigeria.
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 an old and deadly foe, but this new vaccine holds the potential to change the trajectory of the disease, preventing future outbreaks and saving many lives”, said Dr. Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“Nigeria’s rollout brings us one step closer to our goal to eliminate meningitis by 2030.”
“Northern Nigeria, particularly the states of Jigawa, Bauchi and Yobe were badly hit by the deadly outbreak of meningitis, and this vaccine provides health workers with a new tool to both stop this outbreak but also put the country on a path to elimination”, said Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate of the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Meningitis is a serious infection that leads to the inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that surrounds and protects 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, it can also result in septicaemia (blood poisoning), and can seriously disable or kill within 24 hours after contact.
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