GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday approved Bavarian Nordic’s mpox vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 17, a group particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of the disease that has raised global concerns.
The WHO confirmed in a statement that it granted prequalification for the Jynneos vaccine for adolescents on October 8. This decision follows the declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August, after a new variant spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries.
In September, the WHO approved the vaccine for adults, facilitating access for heavily affected African nations. Children, adolescents, and individuals with weakened immune systems are especially at risk from mpox, a viral infection characterized by flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions.
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The WHO’s recent decision aligns with the European Union’s approval of the vaccine for adolescents in September. Bavarian Nordic is also preparing a clinical trial to evaluate the vaccine’s safety in children aged two to 12, with the trial expected to begin in October and partially funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the vaccine for adults 18 and older, it granted Emergency Use Authorization for adolescents during the 2022 mpox outbreak.
Another vaccine, LC16, developed by Japan’s KM Biologics, is already approved for use in children but requires a specific type of needle.
Bavarian Nordic did not respond immediately to requests for comment regarding the prequalification.
