2024-11-19 23:30:00
A Nigerian health official administers a mpox vaccine, at the Federal Medical Center in Abuja, Nigeria, November 18, 2024. MARVELLOUS DUROWAIYE / REUTERS
A new vaccine against mpox, manufactured by the Japanese pharmaceutical company KM Biologics for emergency use, was approved on Tuesday, November 19, by the World Health Organization (WHO). The LC16m8 vaccine is the second to obtain validation from the agency, after MVA-BN in September.
This should “facilitate increased and rapid access to vaccines in communities where mpox outbreaks are increasing”, estimates the WHO. An emergency use authorization from the organization allows all countries to quickly approve and import a vaccine for distribution.
“The WHO emergency listing of the LC16m8 mpox vaccine marks an important step in our response to the current emergency, providing a new option to protect all populations, including children”said Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines, in a statement.
International emergency situation
On August 14, the United Nations health agency declared a new international emergency over mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, amid growing concern over a surge in cases of the new Clade 1b strain in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has spread to neighboring countries.
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According to the WHO, this and other strains of smallpox have been reported in 80 countries, including 19 in Africa, since the start of the year.
The Japanese government has announced its intention to offer the DRC 3.05 million doses of LC16m8.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers “The mpox epidemic and the multiplication of infectious outbreaks must call into question our ways of inhabiting the Earth”
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What impact will the LC16m8 vaccine have on Nigeria’s healthcare system and its ability to handle mpox outbreaks?
**Interview with Dr. Adeola Okwu, Nigerian Health Official**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Okwu, thank you for joining us today. We’re excited to hear more about the recent approval of the new mpox vaccine by the World Health Organization. Can you tell us a bit about the LC16m8 vaccine and its significance for Nigeria?
**Dr. Okwu:** Thank you for having me. The LC16m8 vaccine is indeed a significant development in our fight against mpox. Approved for emergency use, it provides us with another tool to combat the rising cases of this disease. With the WHO’s validation, we can now expect quicker access to vaccinations, particularly in vulnerable communities that are experiencing outbreaks.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned vulnerable communities. How do you foresee the distribution of the LC16m8 vaccine impacting those areas?
**Dr. Okwu:** The distribution of the LC16m8 vaccine is crucial. We plan to prioritize areas where outbreaks have been reported. By increasing access to this vaccine, we can help mitigate the spread of mpox and protect those at highest risk. It is a vital step in our public health response.
**Interviewer:** This is the second vaccine approved by the WHO after MVA-BN. How do these vaccines differ in their effectiveness and application?
**Dr. Okwu:** While both vaccines aim to combat mpox, they are built on different technological platforms. The MVA-BN vaccine has already been implemented in various regions, and we expect LC16m8 to complement it effectively. Each vaccine has unique properties, and by utilizing both, we can maximize our vaccination efforts and enhance overall community immunity.
**Interviewer:** What are the next steps for Nigeria in terms of vaccine rollout and public awareness initiatives?
**Dr. Okwu:** Our immediate focus is on training healthcare professionals and setting up vaccination sites in collaboration with local health authorities. Public awareness campaigns will also be key as we want to ensure communities are informed about the vaccine’s availability and benefits. We believe that with robust education, we can encourage widespread acceptance and uptake of the vaccine.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Okwu, for sharing this important information with us. We look forward to seeing how Nigeria progresses in the fight against mpox.
**Dr. Okwu:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we all work together to create a healthier future.
