Africa: States Agree to Introduce New Vaccine for Meningitis
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Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
5 September 2008
Posted to the web 8 September 2008
Yaoundé
Health Ministers from the African Meningitis Belt have committed themselves to introduce a highly promising candidate vaccine designed to prevent periodic epidemics of the deadly disease in those countries.
Meeting at the World Health Organization's 58th Regional Committee for Africa held in Yaoundé from September 1 to 5, the ministers adopted the 'Yaoundé Declaration', committing themselves to several actions.
Notably, they agreed to prepare comprehensive meningitis control plans, including the introduction of the new vaccine, once available; to implement meningitis control strategies; to undertake joint action vis-à-vis the threat; to improve information exchange for epidemic response and to contribute financially to activities to control epidemics.
"Several hundred million persons are at risk of meningitis in 25 African countries. Many generations have suffered," said ProfAvocksouma Djona, Minister of Public Health, Chad.
"On behalf of all affected countries in Africa, today we are collectively committing ourselves to put an end to devastating outbreaks of this disease. We will ensure that this effective new vaccine is made available to populations throughout the Meningitis Belt."
World Health Organization Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, said the new vaccine is the result of a deliberate effort to get ahead of the epidemic at a price affordable in Africa. "With this vaccine, countries can move away from a reactive response to emergencies towards elimination of the epidemic threat." WHO will provide technical support for introduction of the vaccine.
The candidate vaccine has several advantages. Priced at just USD 0.40 per dose, the vaccine produces in both adults and toddlers a higher immune response than the currently available vaccine. In addition, it confers long-term protection and induces immunity in certain non-vaccinated persons who live in proximity of those who are immunized, leading to broad community protection.
The prevention and control strategy that affected countries will implement entails immunizing approximately 250 million 1 to 29 year-olds and 23 million infants living in 25 African countries from 2009-10 to 2015.
Relevant Links
WHO said the vaccine is safe in testing and is manufactured by an Indian company.
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