18 Sept 2024 • The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the MVA-BN vaccine as the first vaccine against mpox to be added to its prequalification list.

The MVA-BN vaccine can be administered in people over 18-years of age as a 2-dose injection given 4 weeks apart. After prior cold storage, the vaccine can be kept at 2–8°C for up to 8 weeks.

Available data shows that a single-dose MVA-BN vaccine given before exposure has an estimated 76% effectiveness in protecting people against mpox, with the 2-dose schedule achieving an estimated 82% effectiveness. Vaccination after exposure is less effective than pre-exposure vaccination. Good safety profile and vaccine performance has been consistently demonstrated in clinical studies, as well as in real-world use during the ongoing global outbreak since 2022

Meanwhile, another suspected case of mpox, or monkeypox, has been identified in India. A 38-year-old man from Kerala’s Malappuram district, who arrived from the UAE last week. Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has established monkeypox testing kiosks to screen international passengers, particularly those arriving from African countries. Passengers found positive will undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine, similar to protocols followed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: WHO | Read full story