Currently, two vaccines, JYNNEOS and ACAM2000, are utilised for mpox immunisation and have received endorsement from WHO experts, as well as approval from health authorities in various countries, including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
JYNNEOS, also known as the MVA-BN vaccine (Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic), is marketed under different names such as Imvamune and Imvanex. It has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
ACAM2000, which is FDA-approved for smallpox, is also available for mpox vaccination. Notably, JYNNEOS is associated with fewer severe adverse events compared to ACAM2000.
In January 2022, the EMA approved tecovirimat—an antiviral initially developed for smallpox treatment—for mpox treatment under exceptional circumstances.
The LC-16 vaccine, produced by KM Biologics in Japan, has also been approved by WHO. This vaccine is a weakened, partially replicating version of the Lister strain of the vaccinia virus and is classified as a third-generation smallpox vaccine.
In November 2022, OrthopoxVac received licensure in the Russian Federation for immunisation against smallpox, mpox, and other orthopoxviruses, according to the Eurasian Economic Union’s registration regulations.
Previously, the WHO Director-General initiated the emergency approval process for these vaccines, facilitating easier access for lower-income countries even in the absence of national approval. This “emergency approval” also permits organisations such as Gavi and UNICEF to procure and distribute the vaccines.
