The MVA-BN vaccine from Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic was prequalified by the WHO on Friday and has already been approved in Europe and the United States for use in adults.
WHO approval will speed up access for millions of people, reduce transmission and help contain the outbreak.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the prequalification of this vaccine is an important step in the fight against the mpox virus in Africa and for the future.
“We now urgently need to scale up procurement, donations and implementation to ensure equitable access. “WHO must ensure that vaccines are rolled out where they are most needed, alongside other public health tools, to prevent infections, stop transmission and save lives,” Ghebreyesus said.
Vaccine administration
The MVA-BN vaccine can be administered in two doses to people aged 18 and older, four weeks apart, and has an estimated efficacy of 82 percent.
For infants, young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, the vaccine may be used in situations where the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the potential risks.
In cases where vaccine supply is limited, the health organization recommends single-dose distribution, which is 76 percent effective.
WHO said prequalification of the vaccine will help speed up procurement by governments and international agencies such as the Gavi vaccine alliance and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
It can also help speed up regulatory approval in countries around the world.
