The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a significant step in the battle against mpox, approving its first vaccine for adults.
On Friday, September 13, WHO announced that the vaccine, produced by Bavarian Nordic A/S, has been authorized for use, marking a major milestone in the fight to curb the disease, particularly in Africa, where the virus has been most devastating.
This approval paves the way for donors like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF to purchase the vaccine.
However, supplies are limited since Bavarian Nordic is currently the only manufacturer. “This first [authorization] 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,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The UN agency also revealed its plans to establish an “access and allocation mechanism” aimed at distributing mpox tests, treatments, and vaccines equitably among countries that need them most.
Supplies Remain Limited as Demand Grows
WHO approved the two-dose mpox vaccine for adults aged 18 and above. While the vaccine is not recommended for individuals under 18, the health agency clarified that the shot could be used in infants, children, and adolescents in outbreak settings, where the benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential risks.
The Bavarian Nordic vaccine had already been approved in several wealthy nations across Europe and North America during the global mpox outbreak of 2022. The vaccine was administered to millions of adults, demonstrating its efficacy in slowing the spread of the virus.
However, data on the vaccine’s effectiveness in children remains limited. This is particularly concerning for regions like Congo, where nearly 70% of mpox cases occur in children under 15. Tragically, children have accounted for 85% of deaths related to the virus in Congo.
According to WHO, since the mpox outbreak began two years ago, more than 103,000 cases have been confirmed in 120 countries. As of Sunday, September 8, the total number of deaths across Africa reached 723, with over a dozen countries on the continent affected.
Experts in Africa have estimated that around 10 million doses will be needed to control the outbreak, yet donor nations have pledged only 3.6 million vaccines. So far, Congo, the hardest-hit country, has received just 250,000 doses.
Mpox Continues to Spread Across Africa
In the past week alone, 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases were reported, highlighting the urgent need for more vaccines. This comes just a week after WHO and the Africa CDC launched a coordinated response to contain the virus.
Mpox belongs to the same virus family as smallpox, though it causes milder symptoms, including fever, chills, and body aches. In severe cases, patients can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals.
As efforts to fight mpox continue, African countries remain in critical need of vaccines and medical supplies to protect vulnerable populations, especially children, from this devastating disease.
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