By Oluwatomisin Oyefusi
On March 25, 2024, Nigeria became the first country to introduce the new 5-in-1 meningitis vaccine, Men5CV. This vaccine, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), protects against five strains of meningococcus bacteria (A, C, W, Y, and X). The rollout is part of an emergency vaccination campaign targeting over one million people aged 1-29 years. The campaign was a response to a recent outbreak of meningitis in several Nigerian states, which included 1742 suspected cases and 153 deaths between October 2023 and March 2024.In a significant public health development, Nigeria has introduced a new 5-in-1 meningitis vaccine, Men5CV, making it the first country in the world to roll out this World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended vaccine. The vaccine provides protection against five strains of meningococcus bacteria (A, C, W, Y, and X) and is expected to significantly reduce meningitis cases in the country. This initiative is part of an emergency vaccination campaign aiming to reach over one million people aged 1-29 years, particularly in regions affected by recent outbreaks .The rollout of the new 5-in-1 meningitis vaccine, Men5CV, in Nigeria was managed by a collaboration of several key organizations and officials: World Health Organization (WHO): WHO recommended the vaccine and supported its deployment in Nigeria.Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Gavi funded the global meningitis vaccine stockpile and provided financial support for the vaccination campaign.Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health: Oversaw the national rollout and implementation of the vaccination campaign. These entities worked together to ensure the successful introduction of Men5CV, targeting over one million people aged 1-29 years to prevent future outbreaks and reduce the incidence of meningitis in the country .