The Nigerian Ministry of Health has received over 1 million doses of the pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men5CV) from the Gavi-funded global stockpile to address the meningococcus C and W outbreak in northern Nigeria. This outbreak has resulted in over 70 fatalities and more than 800 reported cases across 23 states.
In a joint press release, the federal government and its partners noted that such seasonal outbreaks typically occur during the dry season, from December to June, with a peak around March and April due to low humidity and high dust levels.
The first shipment of the Men5CV vaccine will facilitate an outbreak response campaign aimed at individuals aged 1 to 29, the group most affected by the meningitis outbreak. The initial campaign will begin in Kebbi and Sokoto States, with plans to expand to Yobe State as more doses arrive.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare in Nigeria, emphasized that the arrival of the vaccines marks a significant step in addressing the current meningitis outbreak. He highlighted the government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to safeguard the health of all Nigerians, especially children and vulnerable youths.
Dr. Pate noted that through initiatives like the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the government is prioritizing epidemic preparedness and rapid response as key components of its health security strategy. He expressed gratitude for the support of Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF, stating that this collaboration not only aims to contain the current outbreak but also sets the stage for eliminating meningitis and enhancing routine immunization in the future.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, funds global vaccine stockpiles for cholera, Ebola, meningitis, and yellow fever, making them accessible to all countries. They also cover costs associated with procurement, delivery, outbreak response campaigns in lower-income nations, and relevant preventive and routine immunization activities.
The International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision manages the use of these stockpiles for outbreak responses, with UNICEF overseeing the delivery of doses. Recently, the ICG approved the deployment of over 1.5 million doses of Men5CV in response to Nigeria’s request in March 2025.
Francisco Luquero, Gavi’s Head of High-Impact Outbreaks, noted that with Gavi’s support, vaccines have successfully eliminated meningitis A from Africa’s meningitis belt, and efforts are now focused on combating other serogroups of this serious disease, moving closer to the goal of eliminating meningitis by 2030.
“Continued investment in this area is vital to maintain the significant progress made, control future outbreaks, and reduce the severe effects of seasonal meningitis epidemics on families and communities,” emphasized experts. Meningococcal meningitis, which infects the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord, is predominantly found in Africa’s “meningitis belt,” spanning 26 countries from Senegal to Ethiopia and affecting around 500 million people. Infants, children, and young adults are the most at risk, with one in four survivors facing long-term disabilities, including hearing loss, seizures, and other serious health issues.
Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative, highlighted that the arrival of the meningitis vaccine is crucial for protecting vulnerable populations, especially children and young adults at high risk, and for halting the current outbreak. UNICEF is committed to assisting the Nigerian government with rapid vaccine deployment and strengthening immunization efforts in collaboration with Gavi, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Federal Ministry of Health.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO’s Country Representative in Nigeria, noted that the MenCV5 vaccine significantly enhances response efforts against the ongoing outbreak. He stressed that the vaccine is also essential for Nigeria’s long-term health security and for preventing future outbreaks. Gavi has collaborated with various countries to vaccinate over 400 million children and young adults against meningitis A, successfully eliminating the disease in Africa since no new cases have been reported since 2017.
The Men5CV vaccine, approved by WHO in 2023, is a major breakthrough for high-risk countries in Africa’s meningitis belt, providing protection against five key serogroups of meningococcus bacteria.