WHO Approves First Vaccine for Mpox to Combat Outbreaks in Africa

The World Health Organization has approved Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine, Jynneos, to help contain the disease in African countries. The prequalification allows developing nations to access the shot more easily. The vaccine will be used along with other public health measures to manage outbreaks, with first doses set for October in Congo.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that it has given approval to Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine, marking the first such approval aimed at controlling the spread of the disease in severely affected African nations. This prequalification is timely as a new strain of the virus spreads from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries.

"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 the future," stated WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The prequalification allows developing countries to procure the shot without extensive in-house safety and efficacy checks. U.N. agencies also prioritize this process before acquiring medical products.

Initially approved as a smallpox vaccine, Jynneos has been donated to Congo for an immunization campaign commencing in early October. However, Dr. Dimie Ogoina, chair of WHO's mpox emergency committee, emphasized that vaccinations alone are not a "magic bullet" and should be combined with other public health strategies such as testing and contact tracing. Bavarian Nordic's vaccine is approved for use in individuals 18 years and older, with potential "off-label" use in children during outbreaks.

(With inputs from agencies.)