The already poverty-and-drought-hit West Africa witnesses the sufferings of 25,000 to 2,00,000 people from meningitis epidemic every year.
Its spatial distribution is thus named “Meningitis Belt” — and are said to be closely linked to climatic conditions. It is the group A meningococcal disease that has the highest mortality rate.
In consideration to these prevailing devastating endemics, scientists have come up with a new meningitis vaccine, which can to the Africans’ relief, protect against meningitis A – the disease’s deadliest form.
Thanks to the Meningitis Vaccine Project — a World Health Organization’s partnership — the Seattle-based non-profit PATH and the Serum Institute of India for developing the life saving vaccine.
The new vaccine is said to be capable of producing antibody levels of nearly 20 times higher, compared to what the prevailing vaccines can produce.
Yes, it does produce side effects, but they are claimed to be mostly minor like, some skin and muscle tenderness where the shot was given.
But, will this new hope for the Africans be an effective tool against epidemics of bacterial meningitis in the poverty-hit country? It is perhaps too early for a confirmed comment on it.
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