Mpox Vaccine Provides Strong Protection in Adolescents
AT A GLANCE
- A vaccine to prevent mpox is well tolerated and leads to a similar antibody response in adolescents compared to adults.
- The findings are important for adolescents globally who could come in contact with mpox.
- Evaluation of the vaccine in younger children who could come in contact mpox is necessary to help extend protection to those at risk of infection.
A vaccine to prevent mpox is well tolerated and leads to a similar antibody response in adolescents compared to adults, according to new findings presented at IDWeek 2024.
The findings are based on a phase two clinical trial across multiple U.S. sites that administered two doses of the vaccine in 315 adolescents 12 to 17 years old and 211 adults 18 to 50 years old. Researchers evaluated the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and found that reactions to the vaccine and levels of antibodies after vaccination were similar between both groups.
The modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic vaccine is licensed in the United States to prevent smallpox and mpox. It is not approved for use by people younger than 18 but is available under emergency use authorization and recommended for those who have been exposed to mpox.
“These findings mark an important milestone for people living in areas with mpox,” said C. Mary Healy, MD, associate professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital and presenting author. “This mpox vaccine is an increasingly important solution to protect vulnerable adolescents and manage current and future outbreaks.”
Evaluation of the vaccine in younger children is necessary to help extend protection to those at risk of infection as mpox continues to pose a public health threat, according to researchers. In the current Democratic Republic of Congo outbreak, children 15 and younger account for 70% of cases and 88% of deaths.
In addition to Dr. Healy, study co-authors include: C. Buddy Creech, MD, MPH; Sharon Frey, MD; Andrea Lerner, MD; Kay Tomashek, MD, MPH; and John Beigel, MD on behalf of the DMID 22-0020 (DoSES) Study team.
The study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, under award number 75N91022F00024.
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