WHO and BPOM Approve Mpox Vaccine for Emergency Use in Indonesia

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The World Health Organization (WHO) and Indonesia’s Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) have approved the use of the mpox vaccine in the country, according to the Ministry of Health. The vaccine, confirmed to be non-experimental, can be administered during health emergencies, said Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Syahril on Thursday, addressing concerns and misinformation suggesting the vaccine was still in experimental stages.

“The mpox vaccine has received Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from WHO and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from BPOM, making it safe for use in emergency situations,” Syahril emphasized. He added that Indonesia’s National Commission for Adverse Events Following Immunization (Komnas KIPI) would ensure the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing mpox transmission.

The vaccine currently in use is the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN), a third-generation non-replicating smallpox-derived vaccine. Vaccinations with MVA-BN have been administered since 2023, following confirmed cases of mpox in Indonesia. Syahril referenced the WHO’s “Weekly Epidemiological Record,” which lists MVA-BN as one of three vaccines approved for mpox prevention.

MVA-BN, approved in multiple countries for smallpox and mpox prevention, is not licensed for individuals under 18. Other vaccines mentioned include Japan’s LC16M8 and the US’s ACAM2000, both of which have been expanded for mpox prevention.

Syahril cited expert reviews showing that MVA-BN reduces the risk of contracting mpox by 62% to 85%, with similar findings for LC16M8. Animal studies also found ACAM2000 effective in preventing mpox transmission.

With comprehensive international approvals and ongoing safety monitoring, the mpox vaccine is expected to play a crucial role in controlling the virus’s spread in Indonesia.