The World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday that it has authorized Bavarian Nordic’s mpox vaccine for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17, who are thought to be particularly susceptible to outbreaks of the illness that have raised concerns around the world.
On October 8, the WHO prequalified the Jynneos vaccination for adolescents, according to a release.
In August, a new strain of mpox virus spread from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to its neighbors, prompting the WHO to declare an international health emergency for the second time in two years.
In September, the United Nations organization authorized the vaccine’s use as the first adult mpox vaccination, facilitating access to the vaccine for severely affected African nations.
Children, teenagers, and those with compromised immune systems have been most susceptible to mpox, a virus that usually results in flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin blisters.
The WHO’s most recent ruling follows the EU’s September approval of the medication for the adolescent vaccination.
To expand the vaccine’s usage, the Danish biotech company is also getting ready to carry out a clinical research to evaluate the vaccine’s safety in kids between the ages of two and twelve.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations is providing some funding for the experiment, which is anticipated to begin in October.
Although it granted Emergency Use Authorization for its use in teenagers during the 2022 mpox outbreak, the US Food and Drug Administration has also authorized Bavarian’s vaccine, but only for use in adults 18 years of age and older.
As per the Japanese authority, children can already get LC16, another mpox vaccine produced by KM Biologics in Japan, however it needs a certain type of needle.
A request for comment about the prequalification was not immediately answered by Bavarian Nordic.
