After the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global health emergency, the European Commission approved smallpox vaccine for use against monkeypox. Bavarian Nordic, a Danish Drugmaker stated in a statement that the European Commission has extended the marketing authorization for the company’s smallpox vaccine, Imvanex, to protect against monkeypox infection.

Imvanex was approved by the EU in 2013 for the prevention of smallpox. The vaccine has been approved as a potential preventive measure because of the similarities between the monkeypox virus and the smallpox virus. The initial symptoms of monkeypox are fever, headache, muscle pain, and back pain. Subsequently, rashes appear on the face, palms of the hand, and soles of the feet followed by lesions, spots, and scabs. 

The European Medicines Association (EMA) carries out a scientific assessment of the drugs and gives suitable recommendations for market authorization. Further, the EU takes a legally binding action based on the EMA’s recommendation.