Health Ministers from countries of the African Meningitis Belt have committed themselves to introduce a highly promising candidate meningitis vaccine. The vaccine is designed to prevent periodic epidemics of the deadly disease in these countries. Meeting at the World Health Organization's 58th Regional Committee for Africa held in Yaoundé from 1-5 September, Ministers adopted the Yaoundé Declaration, committing themselves to several actions. Notably, they agreed to prepare comprehensive meningitis control plans, including the introduction of the new vaccine, once available; to implement meningitis control strategies; to undertake joint action vis-à-vis the threat; to improve information exchange for epidemic response and to contribute financially to activities to control epidemics. "Several hundred million persons are at risk of meningitis in 25 African countries. Many generations have suffered," said Professor Avocksouma Djona, Minister of Public Health, Chad. "On behalf of all affected countries in Africa, today we are collectively committing ourselves to put an end to devastating outbreaks of this disease. We will ensure that this effective new vaccine is made available to populations throughout the Meningitis Belt," he said. "The new vaccine is the result of a deliberate effort to get ahead of these epidemics, at a price affordable in Africa. With this vaccine, countries can move away from a reactive response to emergencies towards elimination of the epidemic threat," said Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, WHO. She added that WHO will provide technical support for introduction of the vaccine. The candidate vaccine has several advantages. Priced at just US$ 0.40 per dose, the vaccine produces in both adults and toddlers a higher immune response than the currently available vaccine. In addition, the new vaccine confers long-term protection and induces immunity in certain non-vaccinated persons who live in proximity of those who are immunized, leading to broad community protection. The meningitis prevention and control strategy was reviewed and endorsed by WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization in April 2008, and by the GAVI Alliance Board in June 2008. "Vaccination with the new meningitis vaccine is money well spent. Our initial investment of US$ 55 million towards a meningitis stockpile will greatly help stave off additional outbreaks of this disease," said Dr Julian Lob-Leyvt, Executive Secretary, GAVI Alliance. The GAVI Alliance is a public-private partnership of major stakeholders in immunization including WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, developing country and donor governments, the vaccine industry research and technical agencies, civil society and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "A single case of meningitis can drive a family into a spiral of poverty from which they may never recover. By committing to introducing MenAfriVac in meningitis belt countries, African governments will play a pivotal role in eliminating epidemics that have plagued the continent for more than a century, and they will help reduce poverty," said Dr F. Marc LaForce, Meningitis Vaccine Project Director. "Meningitis outbreaks have devastated communities in the poorest countries of Africa for many years. Children, in particular, are at risk. Now, with the new vaccine that is promising to be effective, there is a good chance that we can finally get a grip on the disease and protect all children and parents from this life-threatening disease," said Esther Guluma, Regional Director, UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa. Credit: WHO