Despite the availability of a safe, effective polysaccharide vaccine, group A @entity10217 epidemics persist in @entity3004 . In October 1996, there were almost 150,000 reported cases and 15,000 @entity204 , the majority of which involved @entity1 . At 3 months of age, induction of protective group A meningococcal antibody levels requires 2 injections at least 1 month apart. Reinjection of 5-year-old @entity1 increases group A antibodies to long-term protective levels. During @entity693 epidemics in Nigeria, Mali, and Rwanda, fatality was significantly reduced in areas where scarce vaccine was administered selectively. Although effective on an individual basis, selective vaccination is unable to control @entity693 epidemics. In Chad, mass vaccination of the entire population (excluding @entity1 under 12 months) eliminated the disease. Successful mass vaccination against group A meningococcal epidemics also has been reported in Saudi Arabia, China, and refugee camps in Africa. Although cost is cited as an obstacle to routine mass vaccination to prevent @entity10217 in South Africa, prevention is the least expensive approach to disease control. It is recommended that the entire population of Africa's @entity693 belt receive group A meningococcal vaccine in accordance with the recommended age schedule in a mass vaccination program.

"Love's labours lost": failure to implement mass vaccination against group A @entity10217 in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children', 'infants'] @entity10217 :: ('MESH:D008585', 'Disease') :: ['meningococcal meningitis'] @entity693 :: ('MESH:D008581', 'Disease') :: ['meningitis'] @entity3004 :: ('MESH:C537904', 'Disease') :: ['sub-Saharan Africa'] @entity204 :: ('MESH:D003643', 'Disease') :: ['deaths']
@entity3004 :: (MESH:C537904,Disease) :: ['sub-Saharan Africa']
