Lagos: Nigeria has received more than one million doses of meningitis vaccine from a Gavi-funded global emergency stockpile, as the country battles a deadly outbreak of the disease. The announcement was made by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, on Friday.
According to Gavi, the outbreak has resulted in over 70 deaths across multiple Nigerian states, with more than 800 confirmed cases. The current outbreak highlights the ongoing threat posed by meningitis in Nigeria, which remains one of the most affected countries in Africa. Last year alone, over 1,700 cases and more than 150 deaths were reported across seven states.
In response, Gavi stated that the vaccine shipment will support the launch of an outbreak response campaign focusing on individuals aged 1 to 29—the demographic most impacted by the disease.
“The campaign will initially launch in Kebbi and Sokoto States, with plans to expand to Yobe State as additional doses arrive,” Gavi said.
Nigeria made global headlines last year when it became the first country to introduce the “revolutionary” new Men5CV vaccine, a development praised by the World Health Organization for its potential to significantly reduce meningitis deaths.
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Outbreaks of meningitis in the region tend to occur during the dry season, which spans from December to June and peaks between March and April due to low humidity and high dust levels—conditions that facilitate the spread of the disease.
Meningitis is a serious infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by both bacterial and viral infections and spreads primarily through respiratory droplets, including sneezing, coughing, kissing, or close personal contact.
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