The World Health Organization (WHO) has added the MVA-BN vaccine to its prequalification list, marking the first mpox vaccine to receive this status. This move aims to enhance access to the vaccine in communities with urgent needs, helping to curb mpox transmission and manage outbreaks more effectively.
The vaccine, produced by Bavarian Nordic A/S, has been reviewed by the European Medicines Agency. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of scaling up procurement, donations, and distribution to ensure equitable access and prevent further infections.
The MVA-BN vaccine is administered in two doses, four weeks apart, to individuals over 18. It can be stored at 2-8°C for up to eight weeks. While not yet licensed for those under 18, the vaccine may be used off-label in high-risk settings, including for children and pregnant individuals, pending further safety data.
Clinical data suggests the vaccine is 76% effective with a single dose and 82% with two doses if administered before exposure. Vaccination post-exposure is less effective.
The mpox outbreak, which was declared a global health emergency in August 2023, has affected over 120 countries with more than 103,000 cases reported since 2022, including 25,237 cases and 723 deaths in 2024 alone across 14 African nations.
