Moderna Tests Potential Vaccine for Monkeypox Prevention

Moderna is conducting tests for a potential vaccine against monkeypox in preclinical trials as the disease spreads in the United States and Europe. The World Health Organization reported that the number of confirmed monkeypox cases has reached 131, along with 106 other suspected cases since the first reported infection. The initial infection was reported on May 7, outside the regions where the virus typically spreads. Moderna has not yet provided further details or information about the potential vaccine. Earlier, a senior official from the World Health Organization stated that the organization does not believe the outbreak of monkeypox outside of Africa necessitates mass vaccination campaigns. He added that implementing other measures, such as good personal hygiene and safe sexual practices, will help control the spread of the disease. Richard Pebody, who leads the high-threat pathogens team at the World Health Organization in Europe, told Reuters that immediate supplies of vaccines and antivirals are relatively limited. Pebody's remarks came as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it is in the process of releasing doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine for use in monkeypox cases.