Provide vaccines against type A meningococcus

Under the Nigerien epidemiological context, Niger¡¯s history of cyclic epidemic outbreaks of meningitis speaks for the high risk of such mass epidemics from occurring. On this account, prior immunization has proven to be more cost-effective as opposed to treatment after the epidemic. Vaccines can prevent and ameliorate the effects of future infections by priming the body's immune system and preparing it to perform an immediate and rapid immune response upon attack by the meningococcus. Currently two types of vaccines are being used against the bacterium Neisseria Meningitidis, namely: polysaccharide vaccine and conjugate vaccine. The conjugate vaccine is considered to be the most effective prevention measure within a community because it is effective for up to 10 years, can induce herd immunity, and can protect younger children under 2 years of age. In contrast, the polysaccharide vaccine is only effective for 2~3 years, thus unable to confer herd immunity, and cannot protect children under 2 years old. Due to these reasons, the polysaccharide vaccine has been used as an emergency measure for when an epidemic has already been onset, to prevent further exposure.

This project was originally proposed to introduce the novel conjugate meningitis A vaccine to Niger. However, the delay in the prequalification of the vaccine by WHO in November 2009, led to changes in plan, and consequently the polysaccharide A vaccine was to be implemented first during the first half of the year 2010. Furthermore, upon continuous efforts to find a secure and reliable manufacturer to provide the polysaccharide A vaccine at low costs, IVI came in contact with the Finlay Institute located in Cuba, who was able to provide the polysaccharide vaccine at a price of 1.05 USD/dose. With final approval of this contract by KOICA in April 2010, the polysaccharide A meningitis vaccine finally arrived at the site in Niger in May 2010, and in May an emergency campaign for the prevention of meningitis epidemics took place in the Tehra region of the Tillaberi district.

In the meanwhile, the conjugate A vaccine, MenAfriVac™, produced by the Serum Institute of India was finally prequalified by WHO in June 2010, and the novel conjugate vaccine could be introduced with the mass immunization campaigns in the sub-Saharan African regions. In the second half period of the year 2010, the novel conjugate A vaccine was used to vaccinate 3 million people in the regions of Tillaberi, Niamey and Doso. Another mass immunization has been planned for 8 million residents of the remaining regions in the second half period of 2011. This project plans to provide the conjugate A vaccine additionally to the Maradi region.