Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Israel Arogbonlo
Published on 2024-04-13 07:15:40
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Nigeria is the first country globally to introduce a groundbreaking new vaccine for meningitis, known as Men5CV. This new vaccine utilizes the same technology as the successful meningitis A conjugate vaccine, MenAfriVac®, which played a pivotal role in eradicating meningococcal A epidemics within Nigeria.
Funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the new vaccine and accompanying emergency vaccination campaigns aim to combat the five major strains of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, Y, and X) in a single shot. These strains are responsible for causing meningitis and blood poisoning, posing a significant health threat. By offering protection against a wider array of strains compared to current vaccines predominantly used in Africa (which target only the A strain), the new vaccine has the potential to dramatically reduce meningitis cases and make substantial progress in the fight against the disease.
According to WHO, the introduction of this revolutionary vaccine represents a significant breakthrough in the battle against meningitis, with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, noting the potential to prevent future outbreaks and save countless lives. The ultimate objective is to eliminate meningitis by the year 2030, and Nigeria’s progressive step in implementing this new vaccine brings the world closer to achieving this ambitious goal.
During a deadly outbreak of meningitis in northern Nigeria, specifically impacting the states of Jigawa, Bauchi, and Yobe, the importance of the new vaccine became evident. Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate of the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare emphasized the critical role health workers play in utilizing this innovative tool to combat the outbreak and pave the way for the country to move towards eradicating meningitis altogether.
The successful rollout of the Men5CV vaccine in Nigeria signifies a significant milestone in global health efforts, with the potential to transform the landscape of meningitis prevention and treatment. By providing a broader shield against multiple strains of the disease, the new vaccine holds promise in significantly reducing the prevalence of meningitis cases and advancing progress towards eliminating the disease entirely.
WHO’s endorsement of the Men5CV vaccine underscores the importance of continued innovation and investment in public health initiatives, particularly in regions susceptible to meningitis outbreaks. With Nigeria leading the way in introducing this groundbreaking vaccine, the global community stands to benefit from enhanced protection against the devastating impacts of meningitis, marking a new chapter in the fight against this deadly disease.
Read the original article on Nigerian Tribune
