WHO greenlights Bavarian Nordic’s mpox vaccine for ages 12-17

WHO greenlights Bavarian Nordic’s mpox vaccine for ages 12-17

Children, adolescents and those with weakened immune systems have been particularly vulnerable to mpox

The World Health Organisation has okayed Bavarian Nordic's mpox vaccine for young persons, aged between 12 and 17, as they are particularly believed to be vulnerable to outbreaks of the viral infection that has triggered global concern.

In a statement on Monday, the WHO said it gave prequalification to the Jynneos vaccine for use in teenagers on October 8.

The WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August after a new strain of the virus spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to its neighbouring states.

The United Nations agency approved the use of the vaccine in September as the first shot against mpox in adults, making it easier for badly hit African countries to access the vaccine.

Children, adolescents and those with weakened immune systems have been particularly vulnerable to mpox, a disease that typically causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions filled with pus.

WHO's latest decision comes after the EU approved the drug for the vaccine for adolescents in September.

The Danish biotech firm is also preparing to conduct a clinical trial to assess the vaccine's safety in children aged two to 12, potentially extending its use.

The trial, partially funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, is expected to start in October.

The US Food and Drug Administration has also approved Bavarian's shot, but only for use in adults 18 years and older, although it granted Emergency Use Authorisation for its use in adolescents during the mpox outbreak of 2022.

Another mpox vaccine, LC16, made by Japan's KM Biologics, can already be given to children, according to the Japanese regulator, although it requires a special kind of needle.

Bavarian Nordic did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the prequalification.

Confirmed cases of new mpox strain have been detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden, Thailand, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.