Breakthrough Study: New African Meningitis Vaccine Found Safe for 9-Month-Old Infants
Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) have conducted a groundbreaking study, in collaboration with the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium (IDCRC), that demonstrates the safety of a new meningitis vaccine for 9-month-old infants in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa. The findings were presented to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization on September 26.
Meningococcal meningitis is a highly concerning public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, causing significant rates of death and permanent disability. The disease can have a case fatality rate of over 15% during epidemics, and survivors often face long-term complications at twice the rate of high-income countries. Vaccination is vital for preventing meningitis cases due to the challenges associated with accessing medical care in the region.
The study focused on the pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Men5CV), which targets serogroups A, C, Y, W, and X. Following their analysis, the UMSOM researchers found that the vaccine is safe for infants in the meningitis belt. The interim results of the study revealed that the experimental vaccine, NmCV-5, effectively protects against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, X, and Y – strains that are currently causing epidemics in the African meningitis belt among young infants.
The significance of the study’s findings prompted SAGE to recommend the introduction of the pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine into routine immunization programs for all countries in the African meningitis belt. The vaccine should be administered in a single-dose schedule between 9 and 18 months of age.
The approval from the World Health Organization has the potential to make a transformative impact on the burden of meningitis in vulnerable parts of Africa. I’m excited to lead this critical clinical study of a vaccine that has the potential to curtail invasive meningococcal disease from the meningitis belt, said Wilbur Chen, MD, MS, professor of medicine at UMSOM’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) and protocol chair for the study.
One of the key advantages of NmCV-5 is its compatibility with African countries’ healthcare systems. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 12 weeks, making it an accessible and affordable option. Furthermore, previous research has already determined its safety and immunogenicity in individuals aged 1 to 29 in Africa.
Karen Kotloff, MD, professor of pediatrics and associate director for clinical research in UMSOM’s CVD, expressed her optimism about the collaboration’s impact: This collaboration among global partners that has resulted in the development of a safe, effective, and inexpensive vaccine brings us one giant step closer to more effectively preventing the devastating epidemics of meningococcal meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa. The study is being conducted by researchers at the Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit (VTEU) at UMSOM in partnership with the Center for Vaccine Development-Mali (CVD-Mali).
In conclusion, the breakthrough study conducted by the University of Maryland School of Medicine showcases the safety and efficacy of a new meningitis vaccine for 9-month-old infants in the African meningitis belt. The recommendation from the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts marks a significant milestone in combatting the devastating impact of meningococcal meningitis in the region. With its affordability and compatibility with local healthcare systems, the pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine has the potential to save countless lives and reduce the burden of the disease across sub-Saharan Africa.
