The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first vaccine for monkeypox. At present, the use of this vaccine has been approved only for adults i.e. people aged 18 years or above.
The WHO issued a statement on Friday saying that it has given the first approval for the use of a vaccine to treat Mpox in adults. The WHO called it an important step towards combating the disease in Africa and other places affected by monkeypox.
After the approval of the World Health Organization, now people aged 18 years and above can be given a 2-dose vaccine. According to vaccine data, the MVA-BN vaccine is estimated to be 76% effective in protecting people from monkeypox, while its 2 doses are up to 82% effective.
WHO Director-General (DG) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, ‘Approval of the use of a vaccine to treat Mpox is an important step in our fight against this disease.’
Approval of the vaccine means that donors such as GAVI Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF can purchase it. However, supplies are currently limited due to the vaccine having only one manufacturer.
Instructions to make vaccine for children soon
Officials at the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that nearly 70% of the cases in Congo (the country most affected by Mpox) have been reported in children under the age of 15. In such a situation, the vaccine is also awaiting approval for them.
WHO has also instructed to prepare such vaccines for children, pregnant women and people with weak immunity as soon as possible. Last month, WHO declared Mpox a public health emergency for the second time in view of the rapid spread of the disease.
Let us tell you that in India too, Serum Institute is engaged in preparing the vaccine for Mpox.
