As mpox continues to pose a global public health challenge, real-world evidence (RWE) plays a critical role in evaluating vaccine effectiveness, particularly in populations at higher risk. The MVA-BN vaccine, originally developed for smallpox, was rapidly deployed to combat mpox, but data on its real-world impact remained limited.
Study Overview
This comprehensive multicenter observational study examined the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of the MVA-BN vaccine against mpox in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals, including those living with HIV or using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Researchers combined prospective safety monitoring with a retrospective target trial emulation to assess vaccine performance.
The findings from this study underscore the importance of completing the full two-dose regimen, particularly for people living with HIV, to maximize protection. At the same time, they highlight how a combined approach that leverages both prospective and retrospective study designs can generate timely, high-quality evidence.
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