WHO approves first vaccine for Monkeypox amid global Mpox outbreak

Amid the global outbreak of Mpox, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday announced prequalifying Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine — a first against the deadly monkeypox virus (MPXV).

Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic or MVA-BN is indicated for active immunisation against smallpox, Mpox, and related orthopoxvirus infections and disease in all adults 18 years of



age and older.

The vaccine can be administered as a 2-dose injection given 4 weeks apart.

“Available data shows that a single-dose MVA-BN vaccine given before exposure has an estimated 76 per cent effectiveness in protecting people against Mpox, with the 2-dose schedule achieving an estimated 82 per cent effectiveness,” the WHO said in a statement.