The invention encompasses recombinant poxviruses, preferably modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) viruses, comprising a Pr13.5 promoter operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding an antigen and uses thereof. The invention is drawn to compositions and methods for the induction of strong CD8 T cell and antibody responses to a specific antigen(s) by administering one or more immunizations of the recombinant MVA to a mammal, preferably a human.