GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday announced its first authorization for a vaccine against mpox for adults, marking a significant advancement in combating the disease in Africa and beyond.
The vaccine, developed by Bavarian Nordic A/S, has received pre-qualification status, allowing organizations such as GAVI the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF to purchase it. However, with only one manufacturer producing the vaccine, supply is limited.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that this pre-qualification is a crucial development in the fight against mpox, both for current outbreaks in Africa and future ones. He urged for an urgent increase in vaccine procurement, donations, and distribution to ensure it reaches the areas in greatest need, alongside other response measures.
The WHO authorization permits the vaccine to be administered to individuals aged 18 and older in a two-dose series. While the vaccine is not currently approved for those under 18, it may be used in infants, children, and adolescents during outbreak situations where the benefits outweigh the risks.
The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported last month that nearly 70% of mpox cases in Congo, the hardest-hit country, are among children under 15, who also represent 85% of the deaths. Recently, the Africa CDC noted 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases in the past week, just after launching a continental response plan with WHO.
Mpox, related to the smallpox virus, typically causes milder symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches. In more severe cases, it can lead to lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals.
