Nigeria Launches Life-Saving Response As Gavi-Funded Meningitis Vaccines Arrive
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Each year, the dry, dusty winds of Northern Nigeria bring more than just discomfort; they often usher in deadly meningitis outbreaks that claim lives and strain the health system.
But this year, a new vaccine offers a powerful tool in breaking the cycle.
In a bid to boost Nigeria’s fight against a deadly meningitis outbreak, over one million doses of the new pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men5CV) have arrived from the Gavi-funded global stockpile.
The vaccines, approved for deployment by the International Coordinating Group, aim to contain a fast-spreading outbreak of meningitis C and W that has already claimed over 70 lives and affected more than 800 people across 23 states.
The campaign, beginning in Kebbi and Sokoto States and targeting people aged 1 to 29, marks the latest in a series of health interventions under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Coordinating Minister of Health Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the deployment is a crucial milestone in the country’s response, and they are not only tackling the current outbreak but also building stronger immunisation systems for future generations.
The new Men5CV vaccine supported by Gavi, UNICEF, and the WHO, offers protection against five strains of meningitis, a leap forward from earlier versions.
The first shipment to Nigeria is expected to bolster immediate response efforts, with additional doses on the way to extend the campaign to more high-risk areas like Yobe State.
Meningitis remains a grave threat in Africa’s “meningitis belt,” affecting millions each dry season. But with global partnerships and innovative vaccines, Nigeria is turning the tide
