World Health Organization (WHO) data on the MenAfriVac vaccine distributed in Meningitis Belt countries show a massive decrease in cases in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The Serum Institute, based in India, developed MenAfriVac against meningitis A, which has been very common throughout the infamous Meningitis Belt. They began distribution for 50 U.S. cents a dose six months ago. In the 2011 meningitis season, Burkina Faso confirmed 4 cases (compared to 66 this time in 2010), Niger also reported 4 cases (compared to 219 last year) and Mali had no reported cases (10 cases the previous year). These dramatic decreases are promising for the fight against meningitis. The MVP hopes to immunize 250 million people in Africa between 2010 and 2015.
