2024-04-13 11:44:00
Nigeria has become the first country in the world to introduce a new quintuple vaccine against meningitis. The WHO also has high hopes for the drug.
A new five-fold vaccine against meningitis will be used in Nigeria in the future (symbolic image) – keystone
Africa’s most populous country Nigeria has become the first country in the world to introduce a 5-in-1 vaccine against meningitis, also known as meningitis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Men5CV preparation protects against five so-called serotypes of meningococci at the same time.
Meningococci are bacteria and are transmitted to other people through droplets, such as when coughing or sneezing.
The new combination vaccine offers more comprehensive protection than previously used vaccines, which are only effective against one serotype of the pathogen, said WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus. It has the potential to “prevent future outbreaks and save many lives.” The launch in Nigeria brings the world closer to the goal of reversing meningitis by 2030.
Vaccination campaign for 1 million people in Nigeria
The West African country of Nigeria, with a population of 220 million, is located in the so-called meningitis belt of Africa, which includes 26 countries. Last year, the continent experienced a 50 percent increase in reported meningitis cases, according to the WHO.
A meningococcal outbreak in Nigeria led to 1,742 suspected cases between October 1st and March 11th, including 101 confirmed cases and 153 deaths. In order to contain the outbreak, a vaccination campaign was initiated in March for a good million people up to the age of 29, according to the WHO.
Life-threatening meningitis
The first symptoms of meningitis are similar to those of a flu infection. The disease worsens very quickly – a life-threatening clinical picture can develop within a few hours.
Although meningitis can also be caused by other pathogens such as viruses, bacterial meningitis is the most serious and can also lead to sepsis (blood poisoning). Sick people can suffer severe disabilities or die within 24 hours. Small children are mostly affected.
Meningococci can be easily treated with antibiotics, but the first, rather unspecific symptoms such as headache, fever, chills and dizziness must be correctly interpreted, which is often not the case.
The quintuple vaccine is effective against serotypes A, C, W, Y and X, which cause many diseases in Africa.
BAG recommends vaccination for babies and teenagers
In Switzerland, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recommends a meningococcal vaccination for children aged 3 to 18 months, young people aged 11 to 15 and, regardless of age, people with certain immune disorders, recruits, some laboratory staff and travelers to certain risk areas .
Specifically, vaccination against the disease caused by serogroup B and a quadruple vaccine against serogroups A,C,W,Y are recommended.
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