Nigeria, Feb. 5 -- West African countries have launched a regional framework aimed at ensuring equitable access to Lassa fever vaccines once they become available.

The framework, known as the Lassa Fever End-to-End (E2E) Access Roadmap for West Africa, was officially unveiled on 3 February in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

It is described as the first regionally led roadmap designed to guide countries through every stage required to move a Lassa fever vaccine from development to sustained use.

The roadmap was developed under the leadership of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), with support from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), as part of efforts to strengthen epidemic preparedness and vaccine equity across...