The approval comes as many Chinese companies are developing mpox-related products, with several already receiving EU certification and exporting internationally. This development aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) August 2022 declaration of mpox as a global health emergency and its call for increased vaccine production.
In response to the global situation, China has implemented screening measures for people and goods entering the country. These measures include health declarations and sanitization protocols for items from affected areas.
As of July 2023, the WHO reported over 99,000 confirmed mpox cases globally, including 208 deaths, across 116 countries. The organization has urged vaccine manufacturers to increase production and for countries with vaccine stockpiles to donate to nations experiencing outbreaks.
In related news, a domestically developed mpox vaccine in China, created by the China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, entered clinical trials in July 2023, marking a significant step in China's mpox research and development efforts.