World’s 1st Vaccine Against All Strains of Meningitis Rolled Out in Nigeria

World’s first vaccine against all strains of meningitis has been launched in Nigeria. It is the world’s first vaccine to provide protection against all five strains of the meningococcal bacteria that cause meningitis.

By protecting people from all five strains of meningitis, experts hope the new Men5CV vaccine will prevent the burden of the disease initially in the African meningitis belt. The WHO says it hopes countries can begin using it as preventative protection for all children two and older by 2025.

According to the WHO, around half of meningitis cases and deaths occur in children under 5 years old. Africa accounts for the highest burden of meningitis infection in the world. Earlier the MenAfriVac vaccine only protected against a single strain of the meningococcal bacteria, serogroup A.

Because of the MenAfriVac vaccine, the cases of meningitis attributed to the C, W, Y, and X strains have increased in Africa, but not the A strain.

Even with early diagnosis and antibiotics, meningitis is deadly in about 10% of cases, and about 20% of those infected experience long-term health issues.

Meningitis is most commonly spread through droplets from coughing, sneezing or kissing. Infection leads to the inflammation of membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord.

The Men5CV vaccine rolled out in Nigeria has been in the works for 13 years. This vaccine creates antibodies in human body to fight meningitis.