The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Monday that it has approved the use of Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos mpox vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 17, a demographic considered particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of the viral disease. The approval, granted on October 8, marks a significant step in expanding access to the vaccine as mpox continues to spread globally.
The WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August, following the emergence of a new variant that spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries. The viral infection, which typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions, has particularly affected children, adolescents, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
In September, the WHO approved Jynneos as the first mpox vaccine for adults, easing vaccine access in countries hardest hit by the virus. The latest decision to extend approval to adolescents comes after the European Union had already given its nod for the age group in the same month.
Bavarian Nordic, the Danish biotech firm behind the vaccine, is preparing to conduct a clinical trial to assess the safety of Jynneos for children aged two to 12. This trial, funded in part by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), is expected to begin in October.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the vaccine for adults, it granted Emergency Use Authorisation for adolescents during the mpox outbreak in 2022. Meanwhile, Japan’s LC16 vaccine, developed by KM Biologics, is already authorised for use in children but requires a specialised needle for administration.
Bavarian Nordic has yet to comment on the WHO’s recent prequalification of its vaccine for adolescents, which is expected to facilitate broader global access in efforts to contain the ongoing mpox outbreaks.
Melissa Enoch
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