Nigeria is currently facing a severe meningitis outbreak that has claimed over 150 lives, predominantly affecting children in the northern regions. The outbreak, which began in October 2024, has now spread to 23 of the country’s 36 states. Health officials attribute the high fatality rate to delayed or lack of access to medical care, especially in remote areas.
In response to the escalating crisis, Nigeria has received more than one million vaccine doses from Gavi’s global stockpile to combat the outbreak. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are coordinating efforts to enhance disease surveillance, testing, and public awareness campaigns. However, challenges such as limited healthcare access and low vaccination coverage persist, prompting calls for mass vaccination initiatives to curb the outbreak.
