On August 9, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a call for manufacturers of mpox vaccines to submit expressions of interest for Emergency Use Listing (EUL).
This move follows a recent announcement by the WHO Director-General on August 7, which activated the EUL process due to alarming trends in mpox transmission.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently facing a severe and growing mpox outbreak, with a new viral strain detected outside the country for the first time since its emergence in September 2023.
The EUL procedure is designed to speed up the availability of unlicensed medical products, such as vaccines, in response to public health emergencies. This time-sensitive recommendation relies on a risk-benefit analysis to ensure that vaccines are safe, effective, and of high quality for the target populations.
According to WHO, granting an EUL will make vaccines more accessible, particularly in lower-income countries that lack national regulatory approval. It will also enable organizations like Gavi and UNICEF to procure and distribute vaccines more efficiently.
Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, can be transmitted through physical contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, or animals. Currently, two vaccines against mpox have been recommended by the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).