CurrentReport Blog Nigeria has made history by becoming the first country to deploy the revolutionary Men5CV vaccine, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat five strains of meningococcus bacteria. Meningitis, a severe infection causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes, has plagued nations for decades, particularly in Africa’s Meningitis Belt, where Nigeria is situated.
Last year, Africa saw a concerning 50% rise in annual meningitis cases, prompting urgent action. Nigeria, one of 26 hyper-endemic countries, faced a devastating outbreak, with 1,742 suspected cases and 153 fatalities across seven states between October 2023 and March 2024.
In response, Nigeria initiated a targeted vaccination campaign from March 25 to 28, aiming to inoculate over one million individuals aged 1-29 years. This effort, funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, marks a significant step towards eradicating meningitis by 2030, as envisioned by WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The Men5CV vaccine offers comprehensive protection against the five major meningococcal bacteria strains (A, C, W, Y, and X), presenting a substantial improvement over previous options. Developed through a 13-year collaboration between PATH and the Serum Institute of India, with critical support from the UK government, this breakthrough promises to curb meningitis outbreaks effectively.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate of the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare highlights the importance of this advancement, particularly for regions like northern Nigeria, where recent outbreaks have been devastating. The involvement of community leaders, such as the Emir of Gumel in Jigawa state, underscores the widespread support for the vaccination campaign.
With WHO prequalification in July 2023 and subsequent global endorsement, the Men5CV rollout is a testament to international collaboration and scientific innovation. Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister for Development and Africa, emphasizes the significance of such initiatives in saving lives and achieving global health objectives.
