PATH [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.path.org/news/index.php

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Press release | November 09, 2015
Scientists mark “stunning success” of vaccine in virtually ridding Africa of meningitis A
New research forecasts a resurgence of meningitis A epidemics in 15 years should immunization efforts stall
GENEVA and SEATTLE, 10 November 2015—Five years after the introduction of an affordable conjugate meningitis A vaccine, immunization has led to the control and near elimination of deadly meningitis A disease in the African “meningitis belt.” In 2013, only four laboratory-confirmed cases of meningitis A were reported by the 26 countries in the meningitis belt.

The findings are part of a special collection of 29 articles in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases—with guest editors from Public Health England and the former Meningitis Vaccine Project, a partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international health nonprofit PATH—about the steps taken for the development, introduction, and evaluation of the PsA-TT conjugate meningitis A vaccine for Africa, better known as MenAfriVac®.

But scientists are now warning that unless countries within the belt incorporate the meningitis A vaccine in routine immunization schedules for infants, there is a risk that the disease could rebound in 15 years’ time. One of the journal studies found that a childhood vaccination strategy will be much cheaper than reacting to future epidemics with disruptive and costly case management and mass vaccination campaigns.

“We have nearly eliminated meningitis A epidemics from Africa, but the fact is the job is not yet done,” said Dr. Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele, Director of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO. “Our dramatic gains against meningitis A through mass vaccination campaigns will be jeopardized unless countries maintain a high level of protection by incorporating the meningitis A vaccine into their routine childhood immunization schedules.”…