Nigeria Seeks Emergency Cholera Vaccines Amid Deadly Outbreak
In response to the escalating cholera outbreak, the Federal Government has initiated urgent discussions with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) to secure emergency supplies of oral cholera vaccine (OCV).
This effort comes as the country grapples with a widespread outbreak and a global shortage of the vaccine.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), disclosed in Abuja that Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, is spearheading the negotiations with GAVI.
The talks aim to address the immediate need for vaccines to curb the outbreak, which has spread across 32 states and 115 local government areas.
Nigeria currently uses three World Health Organization (WHO) pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines: Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus.
Two doses are required for full protection, administered to high-risk groups such as travelers to cholera-endemic areas and residents in outbreak regions.
“GAVI plays a pivotal role in improving vaccine access in low-income countries. Through these negotiations, Nigeria aims to secure an emergency supply of cholera vaccines to curb the outbreak,” said Dr. Idris.
He emphasized that vaccines alone are insufficient, highlighting the need for environmental cleanliness and proper hand hygiene.
The global demand for cholera vaccines has surged, leading to a severe shortage. This strain has hindered efforts to control outbreaks in endemic regions, including Nigeria. Poor sanitation, inadequate clean water supply, and limited healthcare infrastructure have exacerbated the disease’s spread.
In response, the NCDC has intensified public health campaigns, focusing on hygiene practices and the importance of clean water.
However, Dr. Idris noted that these measures are inadequate without sufficient vaccination coverage. “The shortage of vaccines has hampered mass immunisation campaigns, crucial for preventing the spread of cholera,” he said.
The NCDC’s latest update reports 54 deaths and 1,579 suspected cholera cases since the beginning of the year.
This marks an increase from the 53 deaths and 1,528 suspected cases recorded as of June 24, 2024. The hardest-hit states include Lagos, Bayelsa, Abia, and Katsina.
In 2021, Nigeria received over 3.5 million doses of the oral cholera vaccine from WHO. In 2022, the country requested an additional nine million doses.
The effectiveness of the vaccine varies depending on the type and number of doses administered, with significant protection lasting at least three years.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State attributed the cholera outbreak to poor sanitation and contaminated water.
Speaking at the 2024 Lagos International Water Conference, he emphasized the state government’s proactive measures to control the spread of the waterborne disease.
The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has also directed supermarkets and stores to ensure essential product information is prominently displayed to prevent the spread of cholera.
This includes NAFDAC registration numbers, manufacturing and expiration dates, and manufacturer addresses for traceability and accountability.
Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, spreads through contaminated food and water. Common symptoms include severe diarrhea, dehydration, muscle cramps, and vomiting.
The disease’s persistence in Nigeria is attributed to poor hygiene, open defecation, and inadequate sanitation facilities.
Nigeria, often regarded as the open defecation capital of the world, faces significant challenges in sanitation.
According to the 2021 WASH National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH-NORM), 48 million Nigerians lack basic sanitation services and practice open defecation. This contributes to the contamination of water sources and the spread of cholera.
The NCDC has activated its Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) to create a central response system, comprising various ministries, departments, agencies, and international partners.
This coordinated response aims to manage the cholera outbreak and other epidemic diseases effectively.
