[Date: Recent]

Nigeria has begun the rollout of the MenFive vaccine in high-risk areas, securing millions of doses to protect children from all five strains of meningitis.

The potentially fatal disease poses a grave threat to young children globally, with sub-Saharan Africa being particularly vulnerable to it.

Faith Monokpo-Okpong, a mother of two, emphasizes the importance of vaccination in shielding her children from preventable diseases.

Her anticipation of the MenFive vaccine reflects the widespread eagerness for enhanced protection against meningitis.

"I just want to prevent them from getting all these diseases or infections that children are prone to when they don't get these vaccines," she said.

With millions of doses secured, Nigeria is actively vaccinating children in high-risk areas.

Data from the U.N. International Children's Emergency Fund shows that one in ten affected children dies from the disease, which affects the membrane in brain and spinal cord.

"So far, more than 2 million doses have been shipped to Nigeria and all in the last couple of weeks, more than one million children have been vaccinated in various states of Nigeria," said Eduardo Celades, Chief of health of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria.

Despite strides in vaccination efforts, challenges persist, including vaccine hesitancy fueled by myths and fears. However, experts emphasize the vaccine's potency and efficacy in preventing the disease's devastating effects.

"The myth that people have or the fear is that it may not work. Secondly, they have the fear that it may have some side effects. And people also have the fear that it may cause other things. This vaccine is potent and if it is used, it can prevent the occurrence of the disease in every susceptible individuals," said Onyemocho Audu, director of Institute of Global Health and Health Security under the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO).

With the vaccine's origin in India, its accessibility to countries within the region is expected to improve, offering a glimmer of hope in the battle against the deadly meningitis.

SHOTLIST

Abuja, Nigeria - Recent
1. Various of Faith Monokpo-Okpong, mother of two, walking to children's clinic, talking with other parents;
2. Various of medical worker preparing to vaccinate children with MenFive vaccine;
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Faith Monokpo-Okpong, mother:
"I just want to prevent them from getting all these diseases or infections that children are prone to when they don't get these vaccines.";
4. Various of medical workers vaccinating children with MenFive vaccine
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Eduardo Celades, Chief, Health of UNICEF Nigeria:
"So far, more than 2 million doses have been shipped to Nigeria and all in the last couple of weeks, more than one million children have been vaccinated in various states of Nigeria.";
6. Various of medical workers preparing to vaccinate children with MenFive vaccine;
7. Various of medical worker vaccinating children with MenFive vaccine;
8. Various of vaccination preparation in progress;
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Onyemocho Audu, director of Institute of Global Health and Health Security, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO):
"The myth that people have or the fear is that it may not work. Secondly, they have the fear that it may have some side effects. And people also have the fear that it may cause other things. This vaccine is potent and if it is used, it can prevent the occurrence of the disease in every susceptible individuals.";
10. Various of vaccination for children in progress.

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