Smallpox and mpox (orthopoxviruses): WHO position paper, August 2024

Overview

This position paper is concerned with vaccines and vaccination against mpox and smallpox. Since the publication of the 2014 meeting report on smallpox vaccines, and the 2022 interim guidance on mpox vaccines and immunization, there have been reported changes in the epidemiology of mpox, particularly in endemic settings, and new evidence has emerged regarding effectiveness, safety and public health benefits of vaccines. This document replaces the 2022 interim guidance on mpox vaccination and the 2014 meeting report on smallpox vaccines and smallpox vaccination. It contains off-label recommendations.

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UPDATE: A recommendation on lactating women was added to the position paper. WHO recommends that for breastfeeding women, where consideration is given to vaccination, non-replicating (MVA-BN) vaccines should be used.

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