Nigeria has set the record as the first country to roll out a new Men5CV vaccine. The vaccine, which is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is designed to protect both children and young adults against five strains of the meningococcal bacteria.
In a press statement from its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHO noted that Nigeria was one of 26 African countries situated in an area known as the African Meningitis Belt, with a 50% spike in cases of meningitis reported across Africa in 2023.
The release disclosed that an outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) serogroup C outbreak in the country led to 1,742 suspected meningitis cases, including 101 confirmed cases and 153 deaths in 7 of the 36 States (Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe, Zamfara) between 1 October 2023 and 11 March 2024.
WHO says meningitis is a serious infection that leads to the inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Multiple causes of meningitis include viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens, and symptoms often associated with it include headache, fever and stiff neck.
The health organisation warned that bacterial meningitis is the most serious, which can likely result in septicemia (blood poisoning), and can lead to sudden death of its victims.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, lauded the move by Nigeria, saying, “the rollout brings us one step closer to our goal to eliminate meningitis by 2030.”
According to Tedros, “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.”
The revolutionary new vaccine is said to offer a powerful shield against the five major strains of the meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, Y and X) in a single shot. All five strains cause meningitis and blood poisoning. This provides broader protection than the current vaccine used in much of Africa, which is only effective against the A strain.
Northern Nigeria’s States of Jigawa, Bauchi and Yobe were badly hit by the deadly outbreak of meningitis, said Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate of the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. He added: “This vaccine provides health workers with a new tool to both stop this outbreak but also put the country on a path to elimination.”
In July 2023, WHO prequalified the new Men5CV vaccine (which has the brand name MenFive) and in October 2023 issued an official recommendation to countries to introduce the new vaccine. Gavi allocated resources for the Men5CV rollout in December 2023, which is currently available for outbreak response through the emergency stockpile managed by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision, while roll-out through mass preventive campaigns is expected to start in 2025 across countries of the Meningitis Belt.
“The rollout of one million vaccines in northern Nigeria will help save lives, prevent long-term illness and boost our goal of defeating meningitis globally by 2030,” said Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister for Development and Africa. “This is exactly the kind of scientific innovation, supported by the UK, which I hope is replicated in years to come to help us drive further breakthroughs, including wiping out other diseases.”
WHO said they have been supporting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in responding to the meningitis outbreak in the country. This includes disease surveillance, active case finding, sample testing, and case management. WHO and partners have also played a vital role in supporting Nigeria to prepare for the rollout of the new vaccine and training health workers.
Nigeria has become the first country to roll out the new Men5CV vaccine, recommended by the WHO, to combat five strains of meningococcal bacteria affecting children and young adults. This initiative is crucial as Nigeria is part of the African Meningitis Belt, which saw a 50% rise in meningitis cases in 2023. An outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C led to 1,742 suspected cases, including 101 confirmed cases and 153 deaths across seven states from October 2023 to March 2024.
WHO defines meningitis as a serious infection that inflames the brain and spinal cord membranes, with bacterial meningitis being particularly severe, potentially causing septicemia and sudden death. WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised Nigeria's vaccine rollout, highlighting its potential to prevent outbreaks and save lives, aligning with the goal to eliminate meningitis by 2030.
The Men5CV vaccine offers protection against five strains (A, C, W, Y, X) in a single shot, broader than the current vaccine protecting only against strain A. The hardest-hit states include Jigawa, Bauchi, and Yobe, where the vaccine is expected to both control the outbreak and pave the way to eliminate meningitis. WHO prequalified the vaccine in July 2023, followed by an official recommendation in October, and Gavi allocated resources for its rollout in December 2023. Mass preventive campaigns are planned for 2025.
Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister for Development and Africa, emphasized that the rollout of one million vaccines in northern Nigeria will significantly contribute to global efforts to defeat meningitis by 2030. WHO has supported Nigeria in outbreak response with disease surveillance, testing, case management, and health worker training.
