WHO approves world’s first mpox vaccine for use in selected countries

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has authorised the use of the MVA-BN vaccine for monkeypox in some African countries to prevent the spread of the infectious virus.

“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,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Only those aged 18 and above are eligible to receive the vaccines, which require a two-dose series.

According to WHO guidelines, while the vaccine's impact on children has not been fully determined, infants, babies, and adolescents may also receive the vaccine in countries experiencing intense outbreaks.

The decision is based on the approval's confirmation that the “benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks.”

The vaccine can be purchased from Bavarian Nordic, which was authorised to develop it in 2022 during the global monkeypox outbreak.

The availability of the vaccines is currently limited as only one company is manufacturing them.

Monkeypox shares similar symptoms with smallpox, including lesions on the face, hands, and chest, accompanied by fever and body aches.

“Over 120 countries have confirmed more than 103 000 cases of mpox since the onset of the global outbreak in 2022. In 2024 alone, there were 25,237 suspected and confirmed cases and 723 deaths from different outbreaks in 14 countries of the African Region (based on data from 8 September 2024),” according to WHO. 

Africa, where the monkeypox outbreak has become a public health emergency, urgently requires 10 million vaccines to prevent the further spread of the disease.

As of September 13,  the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 5,731 confirmed cases and 724 deaths due to mpox since the beginning of the year.

Pakistan has reported six cases of mpox, with five originating from Peshawar, fueling concerns that the city could become an epicenter for the disease's spread. 

The government has directed authorities to enhance screening at airports and issue public health advisories to raise awareness.