The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that Nigeria has become the first nation in the world to implement the “revolutionary” new Men5CV vaccine against meningitis.
One of Africa’s hotspots for the fatal illness is Nigeria.
The WHO reports that 26 African nations considered to be meningitis hyperendemic saw a 50% increase in yearly cases last year.
“Nigeria’s rollout brings us one step closer to our goal to eliminate meningitis by 2030,” Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General, was quoted as saying in a statement.
According to data from WHO 1742 cases were suspected in the country,with 153 deaths recorded in seven states in Nigeria.
The WHO said that the new vaccine is reported to protect against the five major strains of the disease that are prevalent in Nigeria, unlike the initial vaccine that works against only one strain.
