Accra, Sept. 5, GNA - 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, a statement from the World Health Organisation said in Accra on Friday. Meeting at the World Health Organization's 58th Regional Committee for Africa held in Yaound=E9 from 1-5 September, the Ministers adopted the Yaound=E9 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-=E0-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 statemen said the candidate vaccine had 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 statement said. The new product, conjugate meningococcal A vaccine ("MenAfriVac"), was developed through the Meningitis Vaccine Project a product development partnership between WHO and the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), a non-governmental organization. The Project was set up in 2001 with core funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 5 Sept. 08