The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced the prequalification of the first vaccine for Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, marking a crucial advancement in the global fight against the disease.
This announcement coincided with the delivery of the first doses of the MVA-BN vaccine to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the epicenter of the current epidemic. Since January, the DRC has reported nearly 22,000 Mpox cases and 716 related deaths. In response, around 200,000 vaccine doses have been provided by the European Union, along with an additional 50,000 doses from the United States.
Mpox is a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans but can also spread between humans through close physical contact. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and large skin lesions similar to boils, and in severe cases, the disease can be fatal.
In a statement shared on its X (formerly Twitter) account, WHO announced that this prequalification would expedite access to vaccines in Africa, where the epidemic has hit hardest. “This first prequalification of a vaccine against Mpox is a crucial step in combating the disease both in the current outbreaks in Africa and for future threats,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Tedros highlighted the urgent need to scale up vaccine procurement, donations, and distribution to ensure equitable access, prevent infections, halt transmission, and save lives.
The WHO’s prequalification process rigorously evaluates the quality, safety, and efficacy of medical products, making it easier for the United Nations and other organizations to procure them. This listing is expected to support low-income countries in fast-tracking their own approvals for vaccine use.
Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, added, “The prequalification of the MVA-BN vaccine will expedite the ongoing procurement efforts by governments and international organizations fighting the epidemic in Africa and beyond.”
Last month, WHO declared an international emergency due to the rapid spread of a new Clade 1b strain of Mpox in the DRC, which has since affected neighboring countries. The prequalification of the Mpox vaccine is seen as a critical step toward containing the spread and preparing for future outbreaks.