title: Effectively introducing a new meningococcal A conjugate vaccine in Africa: the Burkina Faso experience.
abstract: A new Group A meningococcal (Men A) conjugate vaccine, MenAfriVac™, was prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in June 2010. Because Burkina Faso has repeatedly suffered meningitis epidemics due to Group A Neisseria meningitidis special efforts were made to conduct a country-wide campaign with the new vaccine in late 2010 and before the onset of the next epidemic meningococcal disease season beginning in January 2011. In the ensuing five months (July-November 2010) the following challenges were successfully managed: (1) doing a large safety study and registering the new vaccine in Burkina Faso; (2) developing a comprehensive communication plan; (3) strengthening the surveillance system with particular attention to improving the capacity for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of spinal fluid specimens; (4) improving cold chain capacity and waste disposal; (5) developing and funding a sound campaign strategy; and (6) ensuring effective collaboration across all partners. Each of these issues required specific strategies that were managed through a WHO-led consortium that included all major partners (Ministry of Health/Burkina Faso, Serum Institute of India Ltd., UNICEF, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, Meningitis Vaccine Project, CDC/Atlanta, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health/Oslo). Biweekly teleconferences that were led by WHO ensured that problems were identified in a timely fashion. The new meningococcal A conjugate vaccine was introduced on December 6, 2010, in a national ceremony led by His Excellency Blaise Compaore, the President of Burkina Faso. The ensuing 10-day national campaign was hugely successful, and over 11.4 million Burkinabes between the ages of 1 and 29 years (100% of target population) were vaccinated. African national immunization programs are capable of achieving very high coverage for a vaccine desired by the public, introduced in a well-organized campaign, and supported at the highest political level. The Burkina Faso success augurs well for further rollout of the Men A conjugate vaccine in meningitis belt countries.
authors.affiliation: WHO Intercountry Support Team, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Mamoudou H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Djingarey
authors.forename: Rodrigue
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: Mete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonkoungou
authors.forename: Sylvestre
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tiendrebeogo
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sebgo
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kandolo
authors.forename: Clement
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lingani
authors.forename: Marie-Pierre
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Preziosi
authors.forename: Patrick L F
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Zuber
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Perea
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hugonnet
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dellepiane de Rey Tolve
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tevi-Benissan
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Leonard W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Novak
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Messonier
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berlier
authors.forename: Desire
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Toboe
authors.forename: Deo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nshimirimana
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mihigo
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aguado
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Diomandé
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
authors.forename: Dominique A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Caugant
authors.forename: F Marc
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Laforce
mesh_terms: D002050:Burkina Faso / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D038381:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup A / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: C573970:MenAfriVac; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines