Meningitis: A Shot of Hope

The documentary "Meningitis: A Shot of Hope" tells the uplifting story of a group of determined scientists, drug makers, and philanthropists who set out to tackle Meningitis, one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. For over a century, Meningitis epidemics claimed thousands of lives in sub-Saharan Africa. Without a long-lasting vaccine, nothing could be done to prevent massive outbreaks. But despite lack of interest from the major pharmaceutical companies, scientists managed to develop a vaccine for Meningitis A that has in just five years wiped out the disease — at a cost of only 50 cents a dose. It is also the first injection that does not have to be refrigerated all the time, which means it is reaching more people in remote places.