GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the LC16m8 mpox vaccine, produced by a Japanese pharmaceutical company.
This is the second such vaccine to be approved by the world health body after it declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in August this year.
“This decision is expected to facilitate increased and timely access to vaccines in communities where mpox outbreaks are surging,” the WHO in a statement said from Geneva.
According to WHO, Mpox cases have so far been reported across 80 countries, including 19 countries in Africa.
“WHO emergency use listing of the LC16m8 vaccine against mpox marks a significant step in our response to the current emergency, providing a new option to protect all populations, including children,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.
“Vaccines are one of the important tools to help contain the outbreak as part of a comprehensive response strategy that also includes improved testing and diagnosis, treatment and care, infection prevention control, and engagement and education within affected communities,” he said.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the hardest-hit country which registered the largest suspected cases over 39,000 as well as more than 1,000 deaths.
Japan has announced that it will donate 3.05 million doses of the vaccine to DR Congo along with specialized inoculation needles.
“This is the largest donation package announced to date in response to the current mpox emergency,” said the WHO.
The LC16m8 vaccine is developed and manufactured by Japan’s KM Biologics. Earlier in September, the WHO approved the use of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine in individuals aged 12 years and older.
Meanwhile, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in a statement has said the Ministry of Health, Singapore will provide a support package consisting of mpox diagnostic kits and testing supplies, enabling up to 50,000 tests to the African health body to enhance its capacity for mpox case management.
