Nigeria Leads the Way in Defeating Meningitis with Revolutionary 5-in-1 Vaccine

Nigeria has made history by becoming the first country in the world to introduce a groundbreaking 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis, known as Men5CV.

This remarkable achievement has been made possible through a collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The new vaccine is set to protect people against five major strains of the meningococcus bacteria, marking a significant step forward in the global fight against this deadly disease.

Funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Men5CV vaccine rollout is a significant milestone in the global effort to eliminate meningitis by 2030.

The vaccine offers broader protection against the A, C, W, Y, and X strains of the meningococcal bacteria, providing a powerful shield for Nigeria’s population, particularly in the northern states of Jigawa, Bauchi, and Yobe, which have been severely affected by meningitis outbreaks.

This historic rollout comes at a time when meningitis cases have seen a 50 percent jump across Africa.

The Men5CV vaccine, developed by PATH and the Serum Institute of India and prequalified by WHO in July 2023, is based on the same technology as the meningitis A conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac®), which successfully eradicated meningococcal A epidemics in Nigeria.

This innovative approach to vaccine development has been supported by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, highlighting the global commitment to defeating meningitis.

The rollout of the Men5CV vaccine in Nigeria has been made possible through Gavi’s financial support, with resources allocated in December 2023 for both outbreak response and mass preventive campaigns expected to start in 2025 across countries of the Meningitis Belt.

This strategic initiative underscores the dedication of WHO, Gavi, and other partners in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat meningitis and protect its population.

The introduction of Men5CV in Nigeria marks the beginning of a transformative era in the fight against meningococcal meningitis in Africa.

With the global roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030, the world is now one step closer to achieving a future free from the threat of this devastating disease.

As Nigeria leads the way in implementing this revolutionary vaccine, the international community stands to benefit from the lessons learned and the progress made in this critical public health endeavor.