Inoculation should save thousands of lives each year and help end deadly outbreaks across the continent
A “game-changer” UK-funded vaccine to wipe out deadly meningitis infections across a swathe of Africa has been judged safe and effective by the World Health Organization.
The new, lower-cost MenFive vaccine should save thousands of lives each year and help end deadly outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis in Africa, developers said.
MenFive is the first conjugate vaccine to protect against the five predominant causes of meningococcal meningitis on the continent, which can kill children in a matter of hours.
It should provide better and longer lasting protection compared to previous versions, and be more affordable for use in poorer countries.