On Monday, the World Health Organisation approved Bavarian Nordic’s new tab mpox vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 17.

It said the age group is considered especially vulnerable to disease outbreaks that have triggered global concern.

The WHO said in a statement that it gave the Jynneos vaccine prequalification for adolescents on October 8.

It declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August after a new type of the virus spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to its neighbours.

The United Nations agency approved the vaccine in September as the first shot against mpox in adults, making it easier for badly hit African countries to access the vaccine.

Children, adolescents and those with weakened immune systems have been particularly vulnerable to mpox, a viral infection that typically causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions filled with pus.

WHO’s latest decision came after the EU approved the drug for the vaccine for adolescents in September.

The Danish biotech firm is also preparing to conduct a clinical trial to assess the vaccine’s safety in children aged two to 12, potentially extending its use.

The trial, partially funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, is expected to start in October.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also approved Bavarian’s shot, but only for adults 18 years and older. However, it granted Emergency Use Authorisation for its use in adolescents during the mpox outbreak of 2022.

According to the Japanese regulator, another mpox vaccine, LC16, made by Japan’s KM Biologics, can already be given to children, although it requires a special kind of needle.

Bavarian Nordic did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the prequalification. 

(Reuters/NAN)