Nigeria’s Ministry of Health has received over 1,000,000 doses of pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men5CV) from the Gavi-funded global stockpile to combat the meningococcus C and W outbreak in Northern Nigeria.
The outbreak has already claimed over 70 lives, with more than 800 cases reported across 23 states. Seasonal outbreaks are common during the dry season, which runs from December to June, peaking between March and April when low humidity and high dust levels prevail.
This first shipment will enable the launch of an outbreak response campaign targeting individuals aged 1 to 29, the most severely affected group.
The campaign will initially launch in Kebbi and Sokoto States, with plans to expand to Yobe State as additional doses arrive in the country.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Federal Republic of Nigeria, said: “The arrival of the Men5CV vaccines is a crucial milestone in Nigeria’s response to the current meningitis outbreak.
Through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach, we have prioritized epidemic preparedness and rapid response as part of our broader health security agenda.
“We are grateful for the support of Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF in enabling this swift deployment. Together, we are not only containing today’s outbreak but also laying the foundation to eliminate meningitis and strengthen routine immunization for the future,” he said.
[…] Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N144.67tn ($94.23bn) as of December 31, 2024, representing a 48.58 per cent increase compared to N97.34tn ($108.23bn) recorded at the end of December 2023. […]