WHO Sets Plan to Bring Mpox Vaccines to Vulnerable Countries
Global Effort to Combat Mpox Outbreak
The World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have set up a plan to bring mpox vaccines, tests, and treatments to the most vulnerable people in the world’s poorest countries. This effort is similar to the one during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the WHO approved the first shot for the fast-spreading disease.
Access to Vaccines
Both steps should make it easier for badly hit African countries to access the vaccine, as a new type of the mpox virus spreads from the Democratic Republic of Congo to its neighbors. The WHO has declared the outbreak a global public health emergency.
International Collaboration
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Alongside other public health interventions, vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics are powerful tools for bringing the mpox outbreaks in Africa under control.” He emphasized the need for international collaboration to make access fairer, as many low-income countries were left behind in the global scramble for medical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccine Donations
European countries, the United States, and Japan have already pledged to donate 3.6 million doses of the two main vaccines used against mpox. Vaccinations are due to start from October 2 with the first tranches of donations. The WHO urged more countries to donate shots that were originally developed and stockpiled by rich nations for smallpox.
Vaccine Approval
The WHO approved Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine, known as Jynneos in the United States, on Friday. It is also considering LC16, made by the Japanese manufacturer KM Biologics. The approval means U.N. agencies can now buy the vaccines as well as help coordinate donations.
Numerous Delays
The WHO has faced criticism for moving too slowly on mpox vaccines. Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine has been used worldwide since 2022, after U.S. and European regulators backed it for use against a different strain of mpox that spread globally in 2022. The WHO only formally began the process in August this year.
‘Off-label’ Use in Children
Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine is cleared for immunization against smallpox, mpox, and related orthopoxvirus in those who are 18 and older. It also can be used “off-label” for children and pregnant and immunocompromised people in outbreak conditions, where the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. LC16 can already be given to children, according to the Japanese regulator, although it requires a special kind of needle.
Conclusion
The WHO’s efforts to bring mpox vaccines to vulnerable countries are crucial in combating the outbreak. The organization’s plan aims to make access to vaccines, tests, and treatments fairer and more accessible to those who need them most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the WHO facing criticism for moving too slowly on mpox vaccines?
A: The WHO has faced criticism for moving too slowly on mpox vaccines, with some arguing that it should have acted sooner to prevent the spread of the disease.
Q: Can the mpox vaccine be used in children?
A: Yes, the vaccine can be used in children, although it requires a special kind of needle. LC16 can already be given to children, according to the Japanese regulator.
Q: How many doses of the vaccine have been pledged by European countries, the United States, and Japan?
A: The three countries have pledged to donate 3.6 million doses of the vaccine.
