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Rabat- The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that it has granted its first authorization for a vaccine against Monkeypox for adults.
Developed by Bavarian Nordic A/S, the vaccine’s approval allows international organizations such as Gavi and UNICEF to purchase and distribute it to countries in need. However, supply remains limited due to the existence of only one manufacturer.
“This first prequalification of a vaccine against mpox is a crucial step in our fight against the disease, both in the context of the current outbreaks in Africa and for future prevention,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
To address the issue of limited supply and ensure equitable distribution, the WHO has announced the creation of an “access and allocation mechanism.” This initiative aims to prioritize the distribution of monkeypox tests, treatments, and vaccines to the most affected countries.
“The WHO prequalification of the MVA-BN vaccine will help accelerate the procurement of mpox vaccines by governments and international agencies such as Gavi and UNICEF, supporting communities on the frontlines of the ongoing emergency in Africa and beyond,” stated Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.
The WHO has approved the two-dose mpox vaccine for adults aged 18 and older. While it is not currently recommended for those under 18, the vaccine may be used in infants, children, and adolescents in outbreak settings where the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
The WHO has also suggested using a single dose of the vaccine to extend the limited supply but emphasized the need for further data to evaluate its effectiveness when administered as a single dose.
On August 14, 2024, the WHO Director-General declared the escalating mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Since the global outbreak began in 2022, over 120 countries have reported more than 103,000 mpox cases. As of September 8 this year, there were 25,237 suspected and confirmed cases, with 723 deaths in 14 countries in the Region.
