WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared a post on X about the decision. Ghebreyesus stated that WHO added the “LC16m8 vaccine” against the M-pox virus to the emergency use list, and noted that this is the first vaccine listed for children over 1 year old in epidemic areas.
HALF OF THE CASES ARE CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS OLD
“This is a vital step to protect vulnerable populations, especially children, as the M pox virus continues to spread.” Using his statements, Ghebreyesus reminded that in the last two months, half of all suspected M-pox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the center of the epidemic, were children under the age of 12.
1200 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES
Ghebreyesus said, “The total number of suspected M-pox cases this year has exceeded 40 thousand, and 1,200 deaths have been reported. The outbreaks in Burundi and Uganda are also expanding. On Friday, November 22, I will reconvene the Mpox Emergency Committee to review the epidemiological situation and the ongoing response.” he said.
WHO announced on September 13 that the first vaccine to be prequalified against the M-pox virus was “MVA-BN” produced by Bavarian Nordic.
WHO changed the expression “monkeypox virus (Monkeypox)” to M pox virus (Mpox) in 2022 due to concerns about racism and discrimination.
M pox virus was declared a “public health emergency of international concern” by WHO on August 14.
Source: AA