A low-cost meningitis vaccine expected to be available in 2009

Trials in some West African countries have shown that a new low-cost vaccine is effective against the most widespread meningitis pathogen in Africa, according to pan-African OnlineThe vaccine is expected to be used in2
009, on the basis of further trialsTests in Senegal,Gambia and Mali have foundthat the vaccine,, stimulates the body to produce antibody,protect people from meningitis pathogens, the report saidMeningococcal disease, which causes meningitis, is mainly transmittedthrough respiratory secretions,new vaccines can be directly affected by meningococcalpresent in the throat,thus blocking the main route of transmissionThe new vaccine costs less , costs 40 cents each, while the average cost of an existing meningitis vaccine is between $10 and $
2
0 In addition, existing meningitis vaccines typically provide protection for 2
years, compared with up to 10 years for new vaccines But the report also noted that the vaccine is only effective against meningococcal A, which is most prevalent in Africa, and does not work for W135 meningococcal Meningitis cases caused by the latter have gained momentum in Africa in recent years 2002
2002
, Burkina Faso has an outbreak of meningitis W135, resulting in about 1,500 deaths