Nigeria Become 1st country to roll out a Vaccine for Meningitis

Nigeria has become the first country to administer the Men5CV/MenFive conjugate vaccine recommended by WHO, which protects from five strains of meningococcal bacteria.

About MenFive

• This vaccine called MenFive is used to prevent meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis groups A, C, Y, W, and X in people aged 9 months to 85 years. 
• It has been developed to help reduce the number of meningitis cases in countries like Nigeria, where multiple serogroups are common. 
• Nigeria is one of 26 countries in Africa that have a high incidence of meningitis, and last year, there was a 50% increase in reported cases across the continent. 
• The Gavi Vaccine Alliance funds the vaccine and related emergency vaccination activities, including the global meningitis vaccine stockpile and routine vaccination programmes in lower-income countries. 

The vaccine was developed by PATH and the Serum Institute of India through a 13-year partnership and with financial support from the UK government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This new vaccine uses the same technology as the MenAfriVac vaccine, which effectively eradicated meningococcal A epidemics in Nigeria.

About Meningitis

• Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges. 
• Meningitis can be caused by different types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Most infections can spread from one person to another, but some cases can be caused by injuries, cancer, or drugs.
• Bacterial meningitis is the most dangerous type of meningitis and can be fatal within 24 hours. In any age group Meningitis can cause illness.
• Fortunately, there are effective treatments and vaccines available for some of the main bacterial causes of meningitis. However, meningitis remains a significant threat worldwide.

Four main causes of bacterial meningitis:

• Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus)

These bacteria are responsible for more than half of the global deaths caused by meningitis, as well as other severe diseases such as sepsis and pneumonia. 

Other types of bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella, Listeria, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus, along with viruses like enteroviruses and mumps, and fungi can also cause serious illnesses.