Mpox Vaccine Found Safe and Effective in Adolescents

A U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded phase 2 clinical trial of a mpox vaccine in 229 adolescents found it was safe and well tolerated through study day 210, according to a planned interim analysis of study data.

As of October 16, 2024, the NIH also stated the analysis showed that the Bavarian Nordic A/S MVA-BN (JYNNEOS®) vaccine generated antibody levels in adolescents equivalent to those observed in adults at day 43.

According to the study team, the interim data support the safety and quality of the immune response generated by the MVA-BN vaccine in adolescents, findings relevant to the United States and other areas where mpox clade 2 cases have occurred.

The authors underscored the need to evaluate the MVA-BN vaccine in younger children to extend the evidence base to everyone affected by mpox clade 2.

The ongoing mpox clade 1 outbreak in Africa is evaluating the effectiveness of MVA-BN. 

In the U.S., the JYNNEOS vaccine is commercially available at various pharmacies. Additionally, three other mpox vaccines are being offered internationally in 2024.