Another mpox vaccine has been approved for emergency use. This is now the second mpox vaccine granted Emergency Use Listing by the World Health Organization.
The WHO, which made the announcement, said this is expected to facilitate increased and timely access to vaccines in communities, where mpox outbreaks are surging.
The announcement came as Kenya confirmed one more case of mpox, bringing the number of confirmed cases of the disease to 18. Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa said the latest case was confirmed in Nakuru county.
WHO said the new vaccine, the LC16m8, should not be used during pregnancy and in people who are immunocompromised, such as people with active cancer, transplant recipients and advanced HIV, among others.
Since this year, mpox cases have been reported across 80 countries, including 19 in Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the hardest-hit country, recorded a large majority of suspected cases – more than 39 000 – as well as more than 1,000 deaths.
In Kenya, four mpox cases are currently under management, while 14 individuals have fully recovered. “The cases are distributed as follows: Nakuru (four), Nairobi (two), Mombasa (two), Kajiado (two), Bungoma (two), Taita Taveta (one), Busia (one), Makueni (one), Kericho (one) Uasin-Gishu (one) and Kilifi (one),” CS Barasa said.
“Additionally, 115 contacts have been identified, with 80 completing the required 21-day follow-up. Three of these contacts have tested positive for mpox and 32 remain under follow-up.”
WHO said Japan, which manufactures the newly approved vaccine, will donate 3.05 million doses of the LC16m8 vaccine, along with specialised inoculation needles, to the DRC.
This is the largest donation package announced to date in response to the current mpox emergency.
“WHO emergency use listing of the LC16m8 vaccine against mpox marks a significant step in our response to the current emergency, providing a new option to protect all populations, including children,” Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant director-general for Access to Medicines and Health Products, said.
“Vaccines are one of the important tools to help contain the outbreak as part of a comprehensive response strategy that also includes improved testing and diagnosis, treatment and care, infection prevention control, and engagement and education within affected communities.”
The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization reviewed available evidence and recommended the use of LC16m8 vaccine in outbreak settings in children and others with a documented high-risk of exposure to mpox.
Barasa has said appreciates the public’s continued cooperation in following health guidelines and actively contributing to the fight against mpox.
“Your efforts have played a vital role in slowing down the spread of the virus and protecting our communities,” she added.
Mpox is an infectious disease
caused by the monkeypox virus. It
can cause a painful rash, enlarged
lymph nodes and fever.
Most people fully recover, but
some get very sick.
