Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Nigeria has received more than 1 million vaccines from the Gavi-funded global stockpile to combat a meningitis outbreak in the northern part of the country.
The outbreak has already claimed at least 74 lives, with over 800 cases reported across 23 states, according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).
The northern region has been hit hardest by the disease, which affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate who made the confirmation on Friday, described the arrival of the vaccines as a “crucial milestone” in Nigeria’s response to the outbreak.
“We have prioritized epidemic preparedness and rapid response as part of our broader health security agenda,” Pate said.
The vaccine is also critical to Nigeria’s long-term health security, helping prevent future outbreaks and safeguarding future generations, according to Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO’s representative in Nigeria.
The vaccines will enable an outbreak response campaign targeting individuals aged 1-29 years, the group most severely affected by the outbreak.
The campaign will initially launch in Kebbi and Sokoto states, with plans to expand to Yobe State once additional doses arrive.
Francisco Luquero, Gavi’s Head of High-Impact Outbreaks, emphasized the importance of continued investment in combating meningitis, saying it is “critical to protecting the incredible progress made so far, controlling future outbreaks, and reducing the devastating impact of seasonal epidemics”.
