Nigeria has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first country to introduce the Men5CV vaccine, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), to combat meningitis. This vaccine, which protects against five strains of the Meningococcus bacteria, is being rolled out as part of an immunization campaign aimed at reaching one million people. Funding for this initiative comes from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which supports lower-income countries with routine vaccination against meningitis and funds the global meningitis vaccine stockpile.
Nigeria's introduction of the Men5CV vaccine is particularly crucial as the country is one of the 26 meningitis hyper-endemic countries in Africa, located within the African Meningitis Belt. The region experienced a 50 per cent increase in annual meningitis cases reported across Africa in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for preventive measures.
Meningitis is a severe infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include headache, fever, and stiff neck, with bacterial meningitis being the most serious and potentially fatal within 24 hours. The new Men5CV vaccine offers protection against the five major strains of meningococcal bacteria, providing broader coverage than the current vaccine used in much of Africa.
The rollout of the Men5CV vaccine in Nigeria is a significant step towards eliminating meningitis by 2030. The vaccine's introduction follows years of effort and partnership between PATH, the Serum Institute of India, and financing from the UK government. This milestone not only marks progress in defeating meningitis but also sets the stage for further breakthroughs in public health initiatives against other diseases.
