Mpox Global Outbreak: WHO Grants Approval To First Vaccine In Their Fight Against The Disease

WHO has granted the approval for the first vaccine for mpox called, Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine to be administered in some regions.

Amidst the surge in cases pertaining to mpox in Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has prequalified the first-ever vaccine Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine. This vaccine is to be administered in specific regions especially the one's which have been most affected. According to WHO, the approval of this new vaccine is expected to facilitate increased and timely access. This vaccine is urgently require4ed in order to reduce transmission and immediately contain the outbreak. WHO announced the prequalification of the vaccine after the information submitted by the manufacturer Bavarian Nordic A/S, and review by the European Medicines Agency, the regulatory agency of record for this vaccine.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement about the vaccine, "This first prequalification of a vaccine against mpox is an important step in our fight against the disease, both in the context of the current outbreaks in Africa, and in future," He also went on to say, "We now need urgent scale up in procurement, donations and rollout to ensure equitable access to vaccines where they are needed most, alongside other public health tools, to prevent infections, stop transmission and save lives."

The vaccine manufactured by the Bavarian Nordic A/S, called the MVA-BN vaccine has been prequalified to be administered in people of age 18 and above. It is supposed to be given in 2 doses keeping a gap of 4 weeks. WHO says that after prior cold storage, the vaccine can be kept at 2 8 C for up to 8 weeks.

WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, Dr Yukiko Nakatani said in a statement, "The WHO prequalification of the MVA-BN vaccine will help accelerate ongoing procurement of the mpox vaccines by governments and international agencies such as Gavi and UNICEF to help communities on the frontlines of the ongoing emergency in Africa and beyond. The decision can also help national regulatory authorities to fast-track approvals, ultimately increasing access to quality-assured mpox vaccine products."