McMaster Researchers Lead the Charge: Smallpox Vaccine to Combat Mpox in Africa.
In a groundbreaking effort to tackle one of the most pressing health challenges in Africa, researchers from Hamilton's own McMaster University are spearheading a clinical trial that could change the game in the fight against mpox. This ambitious study, known as the Smallpox vaccine for Mpox Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (SMART), is set to launch in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African countries this August. Backed by a hefty US$4.9 million (that’s $6.7 million for us up north) from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the trial aims to determine if a smallpox vaccine can offer protection against mpox after someone has been exposed.
The Power of Post-Exposure Vaccination
At the helm of this initiative is Mark Loeb, a professor at McMaster’s Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine. He explains, “This randomized trial will assess the effectiveness of the Bavarian Nordic smallpox vaccine in reducing the incidence of mpox and its associated complications post-exposure. This question is of paramount importance, and it needs to be addressed with the utmost urgency.”
Currently, the MVA-BN smallpox vaccine is primarily administered to individuals at high risk of exposure, like healthcare workers, as a preventative measure. But in regions where resources are stretched thin, this trial could reveal whether post-exposure vaccination can be a powerful tool to stop the virus in its tracks and help infected individuals recover more swiftly.
On the Ground in Africa
The trial is set to roll out in some of the areas hardest hit by mpox, including the DRC, Uganda, and Nigeria. Over 1,500 participants—aged 10 and up—who live in households with a confirmed mpox case will be invited to join the study. Once enrolled, participants will receive either a single dose of the MVA-BN vaccine or a control vaccine, and researchers will be keeping a close eye on who contracts mpox over the next four weeks.
Patrick Katoto, who leads the trial at the Centre for Tropical Disease and Global Health at the Catholic University of Bukavu in the DRC, highlights the significance of this work: “Assessing both the safety and efficacy of this vaccine in post-exposure scenarios will not only fill the current knowledge gap but also guide response strategies to save lives by protecting at-risk populations and preventing the spread of mpox throughout the country and beyond.”
Why This Matters
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Mpox, which can cause symptoms ranging from fever and painful lesions to severe complications like encephalitis and even death, is wreaking havoc in the DRC and surrounding nations. This year alone, there have been over 7,000 suspected and confirmed cases, with more than 300 deaths—many of them children. The strain responsible, known as Clade I, has a fatality rate estimated to be between eight and twelve percent.
Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, points out the potential impact of this trial, “While health-care workers typically vaccinate somebody before they are at risk of an infection, post-exposure-vaccinations allow for a more targeted approach, minimizing use of vaccine supply.”
In a world where vaccine resources are often limited, especially in crisis zones, the results of this trial could be a beacon of hope. If successful, the findings will not only help shape vaccination strategies for mpox but could also provide a model for tackling other outbreaks in the future.
Hamilton's Role on the Global Stage
It’s easy to think of Hamilton as “The Hammer,” known for its industrial grit and steel production, but this trial is a reminder that our city is also a hub of cutting-edge research with a global impact. The work being done by McMaster researchers isn’t just about advancing science—it’s about saving lives and making a difference in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. And that’s something we can all be proud of.
