5-in-1 Vaccine Introduced in African Meningitis Belt

Nigeria has made history by becoming the first country to introduce a new vaccine called Men5CV, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended.

On April 12, 2024, the WHO confirmed Men5CV is effective against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria, and it is being used to protect people in Nigeria.

Nigeria is one of Africa's 26 meningitis hyper-endemic countries, situated in the area known as the African Meningitis Belt. Last year, there was a 50% jump in annual meningitis cases reported across Africa.

In Nigeria, a recent outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) serogroup C outbreak led to 1,742 suspected meningitis cases, including 101 confirmed cases and 153 deaths in seven of 36 Nigerian states.

"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 Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a press release.

"Nigeria's rollout brings us one step closer to our goal to eliminate meningitis by 2030."

Meningitis is a severe infection that leads to the inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. The WHO says there are multiple causes of meningitis, including viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens.

Bacterial meningitis is the most serious, can also result in septicemia, and can seriously disable or kill within 24 hours those that contract it. 

In a single shot, the new vaccine offers a powerful shield against the five major strains of the meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, Y, and X).

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is funding the vaccine and emergency vaccination activities. The alliance supports lower-income countries with routine vaccination against meningitis and also funds the global meningitis vaccine stockpile.