The safety of mpox vaccines for use in high-risk groups
The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) today published a statement on the safety of mpox vaccines for use in high-risk groups.
Highlights:
- GACVS reviewed three mpox vaccines (MVA-BN, LC16m8, ACAM2000) in December 2022, and following the declaration of a PHEIC in 2024 reaffirmed its position in 2024 on the use of these vaccines, with ongoing guidance for safety and usage in vulnerable populations.
- On 20 September 2024, WHO GACVS discussed the safety of two 3rd generation vaccines (MVA-BN and LC16m8) based on post-approval data from global agencies and highlighted the need for further studies, particularly for infants, pregnant women and immunocompromised people.
- The GACVS recommends close safety monitoring of mpox vaccines, especially in high-risk populations, and emphasized training for healthcare workers on proper vaccine administration techniques to minimize adverse events.
- The Committee stressed the importance of using standardized protocols for vaccine safety surveillance, especially in populations like infants, children, pregnant women, and people living with HIV, with tools like Vigiflow and VigiMobile and other software supporting adverse events reporting and investigation efforts.
