$0.40 meningitis A vaccine promises hope for 430 million people at risk, but roll-out still needs funding, warns MSF

A new and improved low-cost vaccine against meningitis A received the formal quality stamp of approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) last month, in a move full of promise for the 430 million people at risk of the disease in the so-called Meningitis Belt, in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the charitable organization Medicines san Frontieres warns that the full roll out of this much-needed vaccine depends on sufficient funds being mobilized.

'This new vaccine opens up whole new possibilities,' said Cathy Hewison, medical advisor at MSF, adding: 'In 2009, MSF vaccinated more than seven million people for meningitis A, but until now we have been confined to emergency response, trying to slow and stop epidemics. The existing vaccine confers very short-term protection, limiting the effectiveness of our current response to outbreaks. This new vaccine gives four times greater protection and lasts ten years. It's a game changer to prevent epidemics in the future.'

To be made by Serum Institute of India