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The World Health Organization, (WHO) has for the first time, prequalified a mpox vaccine, potentially boosting the fight against the deadly disease.

The MVA-BN vaccine can be administered in people over 18 years old as a 2-dose injection given 4 weeks apart.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed optimism that the prequalification of the vaccine will add impetus to the global fight against mpox.

“This first prequalification of a vaccine against mpox is an important step in our fight against the disease, both in the context of the current outbreaks in Africa, and in future,” said Dr Tedros. “We now need urgent scale up in procurement, donations, and rollout to ensure equitable access to vaccines where they are needed most, alongside other public health tools, to prevent infections, stop transmission and save lives.”

While announcing the prequalification of the MVA-BN vaccine, the WHO noted that a single dose given before exposure has an estimated 76 percent effectiveness in protecting people against mpox, with the 2-dose schedule achieving an estimated 82 percent effectiveness. Vaccination after exposure is less effective than pre-exposure vaccination.

Data from the WHO shows that in 2024 alone, there were 25,237 suspected and confirmed cases, and 723 deaths from different outbreaks in 14 countries of the African Region.

Mpox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain and low energy. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.

The disease can be transmitted through close contact with someone who has mpox, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals. During pregnancy, the virus may be passed to the fetus, or the newborn during or after birth.