Nigeria first country to introduce ‘revolutionary’ meningitis vaccine, says WHO
Nigeria has become the first country to roll out a “revolutionary” five-in-one vaccine against meningitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement on Friday (April 12, 2024).
The Men5CV vaccine offers a powerful shield against the five major strains of the meningococcal bacteria - A, C, W, Y and X - which cause the disease.
Known by the brand name MenFive, it provides broader protection than the vaccine currently used in much of Africa, which is only effective against the A strain.
Defeating a ‘deadly foe’
“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 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General.
The rollout in Nigeria represents one step closer towards the goal of total elimination by 2030, he added.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord and can be fatal. Symptoms often include headache, fever and stiff neck.
There are multiple causes, including viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens. The most serious - bacterial meningitis - can also result in blood poisoning and can seriously disable or kill within 24 hours after being contracted.
Vaccination campaign
Nigeria is among the 26 meningitis hyper-endemic countries of Africa, an area known as the African Meningitis Belt.
WHO said 153 people died in an outbreak in Nigeria between 1 October 2023 and 11 March of this year. A vaccination campaign was launched in late March to reach more than a million people aged 29 and under.
“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.
WHO said the new vaccine has the potential to significantly reduce meningitis cases and advance progress in defeating the disease, which is especially important for countries like Nigeria where multiple serogroups are prevalent.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
Ozone hole recovery accelerates: 2025 size among lowest in decades, NASA reports
While continental in scale, the ozone hole over the Antarctic was small in 2025 compared to previous years and remains on track to recover later this century, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported.
Delhi orders 50% office attendance as toxic air triggers GRAP-3
Delhi’s worsening air pollution has pushed the city into GRAP-3, prompting the government and private offices to operate with only 50 percent staff on-site, while the rest work from home.
Malaria vaccine just got cheaper! Gavi and UNICEF slash prices in major deal
COP30 in Belém delivers huge climate finance push
In a pivotal outcome at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, countries agreed on a sweeping package to scale up climate finance and accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement – but without a clear commitment to move away from fossil fuels.
Latest News
MEA says Arunachal is an ‘integral part of India’ after woman traveller detained in China's airport for 18 hours
'Kill India' chants, flags desecration, at Ottawa Khalistan referendum amid Modi-Carney G20 talk
Tripura supplies power for over 23 hours daily: Power Minister
Australian senator suspended for rest of year after wearing Burqa in Parliament protest
