The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has secured over one million doses of the pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men5CV) from the Gavi-funded global stockpile.
The development was revealed in a joint statement on Friday by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The first batch of vaccine doses is set to kick off a large-scale outbreak response campaign focused on individuals aged one to 29 — the group most affected by the deadly meningococcus C and W strains.
According to the statement, the campaign will initially begin in Kebbi and Sokoto states, two of the hardest-hit areas, with plans underway to extend it to Yobe State as more vaccine doses become available.
Also, health officials and international partners say the rapid deployment of the Men5CV vaccine is a crucial move to contain the spread of the outbreak and prevent further loss of life.
The campaign will include mass immunisation efforts aimed at reaching vulnerable populations and halting community transmission.
Recall that Nigeria, which lies within the African “meningitis belt,” frequently experiences outbreaks of the disease, particularly during the dry season.
