WHO declares mpox public health emergency: Is there a vaccine against it?

Listen to Story There has been a sharp rise in cases of mpox to such an extent that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared it a public health emergency again. This is the second time, the disease has been termed as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). First identified in 1970, in Democratic Republic of the Congo, the disease spread to neighbouring countries soon, breaking continent barriers, reaching America and Europe.

It was also detected in India in 2022. Till now, mpox has spread to 116 countries . IS THERE A VACCINE FOR MPOX? There are currently two vaccines (JYNNEOS and ACAM2000) being used for mpox, recommended by WHO experts and approved by health authorities in several countries, including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

JYNNEOS, manufactured as the MVA-BN vaccine (Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic), is also marketed under other names like Imvamune, and Imvanex. It is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the EMA. ACAM2000 is approved by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) against smallpox and available for mpox vaccination .

However, JYNNEOS produces fewer serious adverse events than ACAM2000. In January 2022, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved tecovirimat, an antiviral originally developed to treat smallpox, for the treatment of mpox under exceptional circumstances. LC-16 vaccine has also been approved by WHO.

It is produced by KM Biologics in Japan, is a weakened, partially .