The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday approved the emergency use of Japanese pharmaceutical company KM Biologics' vaccine against mpox, which is the second vaccine approved by the agency, reports AFP.

The WHO has announced that it has granted authorization to include the LC16m8 vaccine on the emergency use list (EUL) to promote timely access to vaccines in communities where mpox outbreaks have become frequent.

“WHO emergency use listing of the LC16m8 vaccine against mpox marks a significant step in our response to the current emergency, providing a new option to protect all populations, including children,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.

The WHO warned, however, that this vaccine should not be used during pregnancy, or for those with a weak immune system.

In September, the WHO had prequalified another mpox vaccine, the Bavarian-Scandinavian MVA-BN, in an effort to help fight growing outbreaks of the disease.

The United Nations health agency on August 14 declared a new international emergency over the mpox epidemic amid concerns over a rise in cases of the new 1b strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which spread to neighboring countries.

According to the WHO, this year, this and other types of mpox have been reported in 80 countries, including 19 in Africa. As of today, the worst affected country is still the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 39 thousand suspected cases have been reported; the vast majority and more than 1,000 deaths.

Mpox is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals, but can also be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact.

Mpox causes fever, muscle pain, and large skin lesions and can be fatal.