WHO grants first mpox vaccine approval to boost fight against disease in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday its first-ever approval of a vaccine for mpox, marking a crucial step in combating the disease, particularly in Africa.

The vaccine, manufactured by Bavarian Nordic A/S, is now authorized for adults and will enable global health organizations like Gavi and UNICEF to procure doses for countries in need.

“This first authorization of a vaccine against mpox is an important step in our fight against the disease,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He highlighted the significance of this development for addressing current and future mpox outbreaks, particularly in Africa, which has been hit hard by the virus.

The WHO has also introduced an “access and allocation mechanism” aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of mpox vaccines, tests, and treatments to the countries most in need. The vaccine is approved for individuals aged 18 and older, though in outbreak settings, it may be used in younger age groups if the benefits outweigh potential risks.

The mpox vaccine had already been authorized in several high-income countries during the 2022 global outbreak, where millions of doses helped reduce transmission. The approval from WHO opens the door for wider access to this critical tool in African countries, which have been disproportionately affected by the disease.

African health officials estimate that about 10 million vaccines are needed to control the outbreak on the continent, and donor nations have pledged to provide approximately 3.6 million doses. Congo, the most affected country, has already received 250,000 doses, with more expected to follow.

Mpox, which is related to smallpox, generally causes mild symptoms but can lead to severe complications, especially in younger patients. Nearly 70% of cases in Congo have occurred in children under 15, who account for 85% of mpox-related deaths.

The WHO’s approval of the mpox vaccine is a hopeful step toward managing the disease, improving access to life-saving vaccines, and slowing its spread, particularly in the most vulnerable populations.