Bavarian Nordic said today that the first of two clinical trials of the use of its Jynneos (MVA-BN) mpox/smallpox vaccine has begun in vulnerable populations: infants and children 2 years old and younger, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

The first participants have been vaccinated in a study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of Jynneos in 344 infants aged 4 to 24 months. Recruitment has also started in a second safety and immunogenicity study, which will enroll 359 pregnant or breastfeeding women. Both studies will be conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of an ongoing mpox outbreak that includes babies, young children, and pregnant women.

Funded by EDCTP3, CEPI

Bavarian Nordic President and CEO Paul Chaplin, PhD, said, "These new studies will fill the gap by providing important data about the use of MVA-BN in infants and pregnant women, and we applaud the study partners as well as the funding partners, EDCTP3 and CEPI [Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations] for supporting this important work, which could help support a label expansion for MVA-BN to include the most vulnerable populations."

Both studies are part of the PregInPoxVac research project, led by the University of Antwerp and the University of Kinshasa.

In addition, Bavarian Nordic is sponsoring a trial of Jynneos in children aged 2 to 11 years old, which has received funding support from CEPI. It expects results from this trial later this year.

An annual survey from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources revealed that 62 white-tailed deer sampled in 2024 tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

The survey also found that all but one of the positive samples for the fatal prion disease came from within the state's CWD management area, which includes Allegany (34 positive sample), Baltimore (0), Carroll (0), Frederick (7), Montgomery (3), and Washington (17) counties. CWD was also detected in Howard County for the first time, resulting in an expansion of the CWD management area.

CWD was first confirmed in Maryland in 2011, and the new findings bring the state's total of confirmed cases to 285.

CWD continues to spread

"Unfortunately, chronic wasting disease continues to spread nationally, regionally, and within the state of Maryland," Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said in a department press release. "As the disease spreads within Maryland, we will continue to monitor it closely to provide the public with reliable information and manage the impact on our deer herd."

CWD effects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose, spreading through cervid-to-cervid contact and environmental contamination. A slow and progressive disease caused by misfolded prions, it affects animals' brains and is ultimately fatal. 

Maryland is one of 36 states where CWD has been documented. Although no human cases of CWD have been reported, health officials warn the public not to eat the meat of infected animals. CWD management areas help keep hunters informed, regulate how deer carcasses are transported, and help slow the spread of the disease.