NAN-HG-7
Meningitis
By Raji Rasak
Lagos, April 21, 2017 (NAN) Dr Folake Olayinka, an Immunisation Team Leader, Maternal and Child Survival Programme, on Friday urged the Federal Government to introduce meningitis vaccine into the routine immunisation programme.
Olayinka, a USAID awardee, said in Lagos that the inclusion would be a proactive and preventive measure against strains of meningitis.
The medical expert spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
She added that there was the need for further studies to determine the appropriate meningitis vaccine to be introduced in Nigeria.
She spoke against the backdrop of meningitis outbreak in some parts of Nigeria and the forthcoming 2017 World Immunisation Week.
The weeks comes up from April 24 to April 30.
According to Olayinka, preparing against outbreaks begins long before the first case is recorded.
She said that the preparation must entail strong routine immunisation system that would provide vaccination to target groups.
“In a meeting of experts in October 2015 at the World Health Organisation (WHO), concerns over Meningitis C were raised.
“The preventive measures that needed to be put in place were discussed, such as enhanced surveillance, prepositioning for rapid laboratory diagnosis, lumbar puncture kits and antibiotics.
“Vaccination was also discussed.
“However, given the shortage of the vaccines for the Meningitis C strain, it was suggested that rather than the ideal preventive campaign with a polyvalent vaccine, a reactive campaign should be conducted at the onset of an outbreak.’’
She told NAN that the recent outbreak of Meningitis C in 19 states of Nigeria had resulted in more than 400 deaths.
“The worst meningitis outbreak in Nigeria and neighbouring countries occurred in 1996 and 1997 with over 25,000 deaths, mostly from the Meningitis A strain.
“The major strain seen in Nigeria in the past had been the Meningitis A strain.
“However, it is gradually reducing as a result of massive preventive campaigns in the Africa Meningitis Belt with the MenAfriVac, a vaccine targeting the Meningitis A strain.
“Nigeria is due to introduce MenAfricVac vaccine into the immunisation system in 2017. However, what happens next time a different strain emerges, a strain such as this Meningitis C?
“So, we need further studies and research,’’ she said.
Olayinka, a Public Health Specialist with JSI, Arlington,Virginia, U.S., noted that cases of Meningitis C were reported in Nigeria in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
“This should have been an early warning for Nigeria.
“The pathway to preventing similar emergencies should also include a prepared health workforce, surveillance, lab testing and diagnosis, prompt identification, treatment and vaccination.
“It must also include engaging with communities and providing items with the right information about prevention and treatment.
“There is also an urgent need for Nigeria to come up with resources needed to ensure that the total amount of vaccines required are purchased, and that they arrive in time and distributed to where they are needed most.’’
According to her, regular education of the public, regular upskilling of health workers, strong surveillance, prepositioning and stockpiling of vaccines and appropriate medicines are also required.
NAN reports that since the beginning of this year, the country has reported about 4,637 suspected cases and 489 deaths from meningitis C.
The affected states include Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Niger. (NAN)
ROR/VIV/IGO
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(Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Ijeoma Popoola)