Nigeria leads the way in developing a novel vaccine for the outbreak of meningitis
Nigeria is set to be the inaugural recipient of the innovative MenFive vaccine designed to address meningitis outbreaks within the country. As reported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) on its official website, the vaccine demonstrates potential efficacy in tackling the ongoing Meningococci C outbreak in Nigeria.
As per the World Health Organization, Meningitis is transmitted through respiratory and throat secretions, spreading from person to person via droplets. It is an infection affecting the meninges, the thin lining enveloping the brain and spinal cord.
The potentially lethal disease, which impacts the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, poses a significant threat, particularly in regions like Africa.
GAVI stated that the vaccine, developed through an impressive 13-year collaboration between PATH and the Serum Institute of India, with support from the UK Government, targets five primary strains of meningococcal meningitis, including the elusive serogroup X.
This implies that it can provide essential protection against various meningitis strains prevalent in Africa.
Dr. Tokunbo Oshin, the Director of High Impact Countries at Gavi, highlighted that with infectious disease outbreaks increasing globally, innovations such as MenFive play a crucial role in aiding the world's response.
Vaccines have played a crucial role in eradicating extensive and disruptive outbreaks of meningitis A in Africa. Now, we possess a tool to combat other meningococcal meningitis serogroups that continue to trigger significant outbreaks, leading to lasting disabilities and fatalities," he remarked.
He emphasized that the deployment of the MenFive vaccine not only aimed at addressing the immediate crisis but also marked a broader initiative to enhance vaccination efforts in high-risk countries.
He pointed out that Gavi's endorsement of a multivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MMCV) program would involve the integration of the MenFive vaccine into routine immunization programs and outbreak response strategies.
He stated that the vaccine would be employed to counteract an ongoing outbreak of meningococcus C, with the objective of vaccinating approximately one million children across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Jigawa State.
The affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) include Babura, Birniwa, Gagarawa, Gumel, Maigatari, and Sule Tankarkar.
As of March 3, the meningitis outbreak in the country has been reported in 82 LGAs across 22 states, with a total of 1,402 suspected cases, 101 confirmed cases, and 123 fatalities. This has resulted in a case fatality rate of 9.4 percent since October 2023.
The age group most impacted by the outbreak is 5–14 years old, followed by 15–29 years old.
Notably, the states of Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Gombe, and Katsina collectively contribute to 94 percent of the cases in the country.
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