In a significant move to bolster epidemic preparedness, Nigeria has received over one million doses of the pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men5CV), marking a major step in the country’s health sector renewal efforts and long-term disease prevention strategy.

The vaccines, sourced from a global stockpile funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will support an emergency campaign to curb the meningitis outbreak currently ravaging parts of northern Nigeria. 

According to a joint statement by Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the campaign will primarily target individuals between the ages of one and 29 – the demographic most affected by the outbreak.

Initial vaccination efforts are set to begin in Kebbi and Sokoto states, with expansion plans to Yobe State as more doses become available.

As of March 26, 2025, Nigeria has reported 807 suspected cases of cerebrospinal meningitis and 74 deaths across 22 states. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has pegged the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) at 9.2 percent, underscoring the urgency of the response.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, described the vaccine arrival as a “crucial milestone,” affirming the government’s dedication to health security under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He highlighted that the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach have prioritized epidemic response and routine immunisation.

“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 immunisation for the future.” He said. 

UNICEF Nigeria’s Representative, Cristian Munduate, emphasized the importance of protecting children and young adults who are at highest risk. “Every child deserves protection from life-threatening diseases like meningitis,” she stated, adding that the vaccine’s deployment signals a proactive step in halting the current outbreak.

WHO’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, noted that the Men5CV vaccine plays a dual role responding to today’s outbreak and preventing future ones. “While we address the ongoing outbreak, the MenCV5 vaccine is also critical to Nigeria’s long-term health security. It will help prevent future outbreaks and safeguard future generations; we are committed to supporting Nigeria at every step,” he said. 

Meningitis, particularly in its bacterial form, remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria and across the meningitis belt. The disease affects the protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord and can result in death or long-term complications if not treated early.

Health authorities, in collaboration with global health partners, are now working swiftly to ensure that the vaccine reaches the most affected populations while strengthening long-term immunisation systems to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in Nigeria.