The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) has hailed the MenFive vaccine as a revolutionary step in African meningitis prevention efforts.
According to the senior programme manager at Gavi’s meningitis programme, Ms. Cassandra Quintanilla, MenFive represents a significant advancement due to its unique feature of remaining stable outside of the cold chain for up to 12 weeks. This characteristic makes it a game-changer for regions with limited refrigeration resources, offering greater flexibility in vaccine delivery, particularly in remote areas where maintaining a cold chain is challenging.
Quintanilla highlighted MenFive’s efficacy in targeting the five main serogroups of meningococcal meningitis prevalent in Africa, including serogroup X, previously unprotected by available vaccines. Extensive clinical trials conducted across different countries, including Mali, India, the US and the Gambia, have demonstrated its safety and efficacy.
She emphasised MenFive’s suitability in a controlled temperature chain (CTC), which simplifies vaccine distribution and reduces logistical burdens for healthcare workers. Additionally, its multi-dose vial configuration facilitates easier storage and transportation, ensuring an efficient supply of doses.
Gavi, in collaboration with partners such as WHO, UNICEF and local health authorities, prioritises the allocation of MenFive based on epidemiological data and risk assessments, ensuring equitable distribution to high-risk populations. This aligns with broader efforts to transition from reactive vaccination to preventive immunisation strategies, paving the way for sustained protection against meningitis outbreaks.
As part of a comprehensive approach to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, Gavi collaborates with various stakeholders to promote public awareness and build trust in vaccines, crucial for maximising MenFive’s impact.
The introduction of MenFive marks a significant step towards achieving the global goal of defeating meningitis by 2030, offering hope for a future where meningitis outbreaks are effectively controlled and prevented.
Nigeria has already received one million doses of the MenFive vaccine from the Gavi-funded global stockpile, making it the first country to benefit from this groundbreaking vaccine. Developed through a 13-year collaboration between PATH and the Serum Institute of India, with support from the UK government’s foreign, commonwealth and development office, MenFive represents a milestone in the fight against meningitis in Africa.
