Meningitis: Govt Requires $1.1 Billion for Vaccine

Federal Government had said that the sum of $1.1bn is required to purchase vaccine for immunisation of 22 million persons in five states ravaged by meningitis. This was disclosed by Emmanuel Odu, an official of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA). According to Odu, while briefing the Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases said that the amount is required to vaccinate people against meningitis inthe affected states which include Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Niger and Kebbi states. So far, it has resulted in the death of 328 people. He also said that the said doses which are being sourced from an Indian firm, 500,000 doses of the vaccine has been brought and 823,000 are being expected. The National Coordinator of the Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu pointed out that the outbreak which started in second week of December in Zamfara State has spread to 16 states. However, the committee has pledged full support according to Senate President, Bukola Sarak, who also showed his appreciation to FG, Ministry of Health, stakeholders and WHO on their efforts in the fight against this deadly disease called meningitis in Nigeria. He also pleaded for corporation by the parties involved to see that meningitis is eradicated in Nigeria. Source: Vanguard Nigeria .