Nigeria rolls out novel meningitis vaccine
Authors: Patrick Ashinze, Nelson Mafua, Eniola Obafemi
Journal: The Lancet (2024)

History was made in March, 2024, when Nigeria became the first country to introduce the Men5CV multivalent meningitis vaccine,1WHOIn world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis.https://www.who.int/news/item/12-04-2024-in-world-first--nigeria-introduces-new-5-in-1-vaccine-against-meningitisDate: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar an advance that will protect its population against the meningococcal disease that is prevalent in the core northern regions of the country.1WHOIn world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis.https://www.who.int/news/item/12-04-2024-in-world-first--nigeria-introduces-new-5-in-1-vaccine-against-meningitisDate: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar The decision to roll out the Men5CV multivalent vaccine is in line with Nigeria's commitment to prioritising public health and mitigating the devastating consequences of meningitis outbreaks, especially in the wake of a 50% increase in cases reported across Africa between 2022 and 2023.1WHOIn world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis.https://www.who.int/news/item/12-04-2024-in-world-first--nigeria-introduces-new-5-in-1-vaccine-against-meningitisDate: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar As one of the 26 hyperendemic countries within the African meningitis belt, Nigeria has been acutely aware of the grave threat posed by meningitis, with recent outbreaks claiming numerous lives and causing widespread suffering.2UN NewsNigeria first country to introduce 'revolutionary' meningitis vaccine.https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148526Date: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, has lauded the vaccine as a new tool for health-care workers to stop the disease outbreak and put the country on a path to eliminating meningitis.1WHOIn world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis.https://www.who.int/news/item/12-04-2024-in-world-first--nigeria-introduces-new-5-in-1-vaccine-against-meningitisDate: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar The vaccine is a result of multilaterally financed and coordinated work that took 13 years to complete; it provides protection against the five major strains of the meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, Y, and X) following one single injection.1WHOIn world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis.https://www.who.int/news/item/12-04-2024-in-world-first--nigeria-introduces-new-5-in-1-vaccine-against-meningitisDate: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar, 2UN NewsNigeria first country to introduce 'revolutionary' meningitis vaccine.https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148526Date: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar The vaccine launch is projected to fast-track the WHO goal to eliminate meningitis by 2030.1WHOIn world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis.https://www.who.int/news/item/12-04-2024-in-world-first--nigeria-introduces-new-5-in-1-vaccine-against-meningitisDate: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar As stated by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, 1 million Men5CV vaccines are expected to be rolled out in Nigeria in the coming months and years1WHOIn world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis.https://www.who.int/news/item/12-04-2024-in-world-first--nigeria-introduces-new-5-in-1-vaccine-against-meningitisDate: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar as the Nigerian Government renews concerted efforts to consolidate the health-care sector and improve the collective wellbeing of Nigerian citizens. Through the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Nigeria has embarked on a comprehensive vaccination campaign targeting people aged 1–29 years, a core, productive demographic group that is vulnerable to the disease.1WHOIn world first, Nigeria introduces new 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis.https://www.who.int/news/item/12-04-2024-in-world-first--nigeria-introduces-new-5-in-1-vaccine-against-meningitisDate: April 12, 2024Date accessed: April 13, 2024Google Scholar The vaccine launch is an important milestone in global public health. By embracing the Men5CV vaccine, Nigeria has not only shown leadership in disease prevention but has also set a precedent for other nations grappling with the health-care burden of meningitis. Nigeria's initiative will offer hope and resilience to communities across Africa and the world at large that are affected by the threat and fatality of meningitis. In light of these profound developments, we urge other African nations to emulate the feat of Nigeria and initiate similar projects as we improve the health of the continent as a whole, one step at a time. For more on the Road, Housing & Urban Development Research Center see https://www.bhrc.ac.ir/ir For more on the Road, Housing & Urban Development Research Center see https://www.bhrc.ac.ir/ir We declare no competing interests.