A Huge Success for Global Health

This video from the Gates Foundation shows the need for and development of a vaccine for Meningitis A. In seeking the development of this conjugate vaccine and its production at affordable prices, in answer to a need raised by increasing epidemic meningitis in the so-called meningitis belt of the continent of Africa, West African countries went to the World Health Organization (WHO) to request help. Spearheaded by PATH, a partnership effort was established that found a manufacturer in India. Burkina Faso stepped up to vaccinate 100% of their vulnerable population, ages 1-29, within 10 days of the launch of their campaign, an effort filmed here as occurring in public places with print banners in open tents staffed and ready for large-scale roll-out of the vaccine. The film reports that 99% of the vulnerable population was vaccinated in the first 8 days. The vaccine development and administration brought together, through PATH's advocacy, a team of organisations capable of pursuing the development, manufacture, testing, administration, and ongoing evaluation of the vaccine and its effectiveness.