The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday, August 9, issued a call for manufacturers of mpox vaccines to submit an expression of interest for Emergency Use Listing (EUL).

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This follows the WHO Director-General’s announcement, on August 7, which activated the EUL process in response to concerning trends in mpox transmission.

The DR Congo is experiencing a severe and expanding outbreak of mpox, with a new viral strain detected outside DR Congo for the first time since its emergence in September 2023.

According to WHO, the EUL procedure is designed to expedite the availability of unlicensed medical products, such as vaccines, needed in public health emergencies. This time-limited recommendation relies on a risk-benefit analysis to ensure that vaccines are safe, effective, and of high quality, suitable for the target populations.

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"Granting an EUL will facilitate vaccine access, particularly for lower-income countries lacking national regulatory approval. It will also enable organizations such as Gavi and UNICEF to procure and distribute vaccines more effectively,” WHO states.

Experts say that 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).