The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the MVA-BN vaccine, developed by Bavarian Nordic A/S, as the first-ever mpox vaccine to be added to its prequalification list.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the approval announced on Friday is expected to improve access to the vaccine in regions facing urgent outbreaks, especially in Africa, to reduce transmission and control the spread of the disease.

“This first prequalification of a vaccine against mpox is an important step in our fight against the disease, both in the context of the current outbreaks in Africa, and in the future,” he said.

Further, he emphasized increasing vaccine procurement and distribution to ensure equitable access for at-risk people.

The vaccine is administered in two doses, four weeks apart, for adults aged 18 and over.

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For his part, WHO Assistant Director Yukiko Nakatani stated that the prequalification decision will accelerate procurement by international agencies and speed up national regulatory approvals.

Current data indicate that the vaccine is 76 percent effective after a single dose and 82 percent effective after two doses.

WHO emphasized the need for continued data collection on the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.