The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday (Nov. 19) approved an mpox vaccine made by Japanese pharmaceutical company KM Biologics for emergency use, the second to gain approval from the agency.
A WHO emergency use authorization allows all countries to quickly approve and import a vaccine for distribution.
The new Clado 1b strain reported in 80 countries
“WHO emergency listing of the LC16m8 mpox vaccine marks an important step in our response to the current emergency, providing a new option to protect all populations, including children,” he said in a statement.
In September, the WHO had already prequalified another mpox vaccine, MVA-BN.
On August 14, the United Nations health agency declared a new international emergency over mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, amid growing concern about a rise in cases of the new Clade 1b strain in the Democratic Republic. of the Congo (DRC), which has spread to the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). countries.
According to the WHO, this and other strains of smallpox have been reported in 80 countries, including 19 in Africa, since the beginning of the year.
The Japanese government has announced plans to offer the DRC 3.05 million doses of LC16m8.
Source: BFM TV
