The Men5CV vaccine offers a powerful shield against the five main strains of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, Y and X) that cause the disease.
Known by the trade name MenFive, it provides broader protection than the vaccine currently used in much of Africa, which is only effective against the A strain.
Defeat a 'mortal enemy'
“Meningitis is an old and deadly enemy, but this new vaccine has the potential to change the trajectory of the disease.preventing future outbreaks and saving many lives,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO.
The implementation in Nigeria represents another step towards the goal of total elimination by 2030, he added.
Meningitis is inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord and can be fatal. Symptoms usually include headache, fever, and stiff neck.
There are multiple causes, including viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. The most serious, bacterial meningitis, can also cause blood poisoning and can severely disable or kill within 24 hours of contracting it.
Vaccination campaign
Nigeria is among 26 meningitis hyperendemic countries in Africa, an area known as the African Meningitis Belt.
Who said 153 people died in an outbreak in Nigeria between October 1, 2023 and March 11 this year. A vaccination campaign was launched at the end of March to reach more than one million people aged 29 or younger.
“Northern Nigeria, particularly Jigawa, Bauchi and Yobe states, were severely affected by the deadly meningitis outbreak, and this vaccine provides health workers with a new tool to both stop this outbreak and put the country on the path to elimination”said Professor Muhammad Ali Pate of the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Welfare.
The WHO said the new vaccine has the potential to significantly reduce cases of meningitis and make progress in defeating the disease, which is especially important for countries like Nigeria where multiple serogroups are prevalent.
