The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first vaccine against monkeypox, MVA-BN, a significant step in combating the virus globally.
This vaccine is intended for individuals 18 years and older and requires two doses administered four weeks apart. According to WHO, MVA-BN demonstrated 76% efficacy after the first dose and 82% after the second. This approval coincides with WHO’s ongoing classification of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern.
Monkeypox has reached 121 countries, resulting in over 500 deaths this year. The virus poses a particular threat to high-risk groups and those with compromised immune systems, with mortality rates as high as 10%.
WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization recommends MVA-BN’s use in high-risk settings. This includes its application for infants, children, and pregnant or immunocompromised individuals, though it remains unlicensed for those under 18. In scenarios where supply is limited, a single-dose regimen is also advised.
The WHO anticipates that this vaccine will play a crucial role in controlling the spread of the virus, especially among vulnerable populations.
In Pakistan, there have been five confirmed cases of monkeypox, all among travellers returning from overseas. Health authorities are vigilantly monitoring these cases to prevent further spread.
Read: Mpox Cases Rise in Pakistan with New Case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
