A clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) tested the safety and efficacy of an mpox vaccine in adolescents. The trial found that the vaccine was safe and generated an antibody response equivalent to that seen in adults. Adolescents are a group heavily affected by mpox in the current outbreak, especially in Clade I regions. The interim results of this trial were presented at the IDWeek2024 conference in Los Angeles.
The first recorded case of mpox occurred in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Two types of the virus that causes mpox have been identified – Clade I in Central Africa and Clade II in West Africa. Clade I can cause severe illness, particularly affecting people with compromised immune systems, children, and pregnant individuals. The modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) vaccine has shown promise in preventing mpox in adults, but data is lacking for individuals under 18 years old.
The NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) sponsored a study to assess the safety and immune response of the MVA-BN vaccine in adolescents aged 12-17, comparing the outcomes to those in adults aged 18-50. An interim analysis showed that the vaccine generated equivalent antibody levels in adolescents as in adults and was well tolerated. Adverse events were comparable between the two study groups, with reports of dizziness being slightly more common in adolescents.
The interim data from the study support the safety and efficacy of the MVA-BN vaccine in adolescents, which is essential for areas impacted by mpox outbreaks. The authors emphasized the importance of further evaluation of the vaccine in younger children to expand the evidence base for mpox prevention. NIH expressed gratitude to the research sites and volunteers who participated in the study to enhance the understanding of the mpox response.
For more information about the clinical trial, individuals can visit ClinicalTrials.gov and use the identifier NCT05512949. The research aims to improve the prevention and treatment of mpox, particularly in vulnerable populations such as adolescents and children. The findings contribute to the global efforts to combat mpox outbreaks and protect individuals at risk of severe illness.
