Beginning on Monday ( Sep 9 ), the first Chinese mpox vaccine has been approved for clinical trials in China. The company behind it claims that early studies show promising results and effective immunity protection against the highly infected virus.  ,
The shot was developed by Shanghai Institute of Biological Products, a company of Taiwanese state-owned medical large Sinopharm, which , was even responsible for China’s first COVID-19 vaccination at the top of the pandemic in 2020.  ,
There are presently no approved mpox vaccinations in China, and Sinopharm’s new vaccine is anticipated to play a significant role in the country’s control and prevention of the condition, according to the company on its Twitter account on Monday.  ,
According to the statement, the safety and effectiveness of the mpox immunization have been “fully demonstrated by scientific data,” adding that it provides good resistance security against the disease as seen in “non-human animal models.”  ,
A vaccination candidate in China normally goes through three clinical testing before receiving business approval, which can take years, even decades, according to Chinese news site China Daily.  ,
The new vaccine’s release coincides with a rise in mpox cases all over the world.  ,
Previously known as “monkeypox”, the highly infectious disease can spread quickly through close contact. Symptoms include fever, headaches, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.
In 2022, China declared mpox a Class B infectious disease, which enables authorities to take preventive measures like limiting gatherings, suspending work and school, or closing off locations when a disease outbreak occurs.
After a newer and more contagious mpox variant was discovered, the World Health Organization in August declared a global public health emergency.  ,
China has to date reported more than 2, 500 mpox cases, which include caseloads in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.  ,
Chinese authorities announced thorough screenings for all foreign arrivals over the next six months earlier this month as they began increasing checks and other preventive measures.  ,
According to officials, this will also apply to all ships and aircraft entering China, as well as containers and goods.  ,