Inaugural Meeting of the Lassa Fever Coalition Governing Entity (LGE) Hosted by the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria and West African Health Organisation on January 16, 2025
The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and with support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), is hosting the inaugural meeting of the Lassa Fever Coalition Governing Entity (LGE). This high-level convening marks a significant milestone in the fight against Lassa fever, a disease of regional and global concern. The inaugural meeting seeks to:
- Demonstrate Regional Commitment: Showcase West Africa's dedication to tackling Lassa fever and ensuring global recognition of its health priorities.
- Review Milestones and Challenges: Highlight progress in the Lassa vaccine program and identify strategies to overcome remaining hurdles.
- Outline Actionable Steps: Develop a roadmap for 2025 to ensure the program's success and sustainability.
The new Lassa Coalition is a pioneering group established by WAHO to build upon the efforts of regional and national Lassa initiatives and ensure, at a regional level, that those affected by Lassa fever have a safe, effective, and high-quality vaccine available to protect their populations adequately and equitably when they want to use them.
The Lassa Fever Governing Entity (LGE) will provide country and regional leadership to the Coalition and ensure effective governance and programmatic delivery for vaccine developers, funders, and Member States actively involved in combating Lassa fever. Members of the LGE include Ministers of Health across key Member States including Benin, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, as well as senior representatives from CEPI, WAHO, and the World Health Organization Headquarters and Regional Office for Africa (WHO - AFRO).
The creation of the Lassa Fever Coalition is driven by the recognition that the fight against Lassa fever requires a collaborative and locally driven partnership model which emphasises regional and country ownership whilst prioritizing early and sustained community engagement. This regional engagement and collaboration can help to inform Lassa vaccine use cases, vaccination strategies, clinical trial design, vaccine demand evaluation, the creation and support for Lassa Fever policies, and sustainable local vaccine supply and manufacturing.
Lassa fever represents not just a health threat but a broader challenge to our collective resilience and the effectiveness of our health systems in West Africa. This disease, which impacts thousands of lives annually, underscores the urgent need for structural reforms and collaborative action as stated by Dr. Melchior Athanase Joël C. AÏSSI, the Director General of the West African Health Organization during his opening remarks. It is with this recognition that WAHO has prioritized the fight against Lassa fever since the 2022 Assembly of Ministers of Health in Accra, Ghana. He also declared that “The creation of the Lassa Fever Coalition demonstrates our shared resolve to address this public health concern comprehensively. By adopting a concerted and multi-sectoral approach, we are committing ourselves to a vision where every individual in our region can live free from the shadow of preventable diseases. To conclude he stated, "We need to seize this moment to strengthen our collective resolve and take meaningful steps toward a healthier and safer West Africa, where every citizen can thrive free from the threat of Lassa fever."
“The fight against Lassa fever reflects our shared commitment to health security and equitable access to life-saving solutions. Nigeria is proud to contribute to vaccine research through epidemiological studies, clinical trials, and other activities hosted by our institutions”, said Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. “Together, this coalition strengthens public health systems, fosters innovation, and builds a resilient future where preventable diseases no longer threaten lives and livelihoods, placing our region firmly on the path of sustainable progress”, he concluded.
“Having plagued West Africa for decades, Lassa fever has long been considered one of the most neglected of neglected diseases – but with the great advances in vaccine research, this is now changing”, says Dr Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). “The new Lassa Coalition and Lassa Governing Entity will be a pivotal force to speed up the path to vaccine licensure and to enable future equitable access to doses. CEPI is honoured to be part of this pioneering group and stands ready to support our partners as we progress toward our goal to create a world free from this pernicious and recurring threat.”