5 Questions and answers about the monkeypox vaccine

Questions – Answers about the monkeypox vaccine

What is monkeypox vaccine and what is it used for?

Monkeypox vaccine is a vaccine used to protect against smallpox in adults. It contains a weakened form of the vaccinia virus called "modified Ankara vaccinia virus" and is related to the smallpox virus. Smallpox was officially declared eradicated in 1980, with the last known case of the disease recorded in 1977. This vaccine will be used in cases where it is considered necessary to protect against smallpox according to official recommendations. the monkeypox vaccine can also be used to protect adults against monkeypox and the disease caused by the vaccinia virus.

How is the monkeypox vaccine used?

The monkeypox vaccine is given by subcutaneous injection, preferably in the upper arm. People who have not previously been vaccinated against smallpox, monkeypox or the disease caused by the vaccinia virus should receive two doses of 0,5 ml, with the second dose given at least 28 days after the first. If necessary, the administration of a booster dose to persons who have been vaccinated in the past should be given as a single dose of 0,5 ml. People with a weakened immune system (the body's natural defenses) who need a booster dose should receive two doses, with the second dose given at least 28 days after the first. The vaccine is only available with a prescription. For more information on the use of monkeypox vaccine, consult the package leaflet or contact your doctor or pharmacist.

How does the monkeypox vaccine work?

Vaccines work by preparing the body to defend itself against a disease. When the vaccine is given to a person, the immune system recognizes the virus in the vaccine as a "foreign" body and produces antibodies against it. When the person is re-exposed to similar viruses, the monkeypox vaccine (live modified vaccinia virus Ankara) these antibodies, in combination with other components of the immune system, will be able to kill the viruses and contribute to protection from disease. the monkeypox vaccine prepares the body to defend itself against infection with smallpox, monkeypox and vaccinia viruses. It contains a weakened form of the vaccinia virus called "modified Ankara-type vaccinia virus", a virus closely related to smallpox and monkeypox viruses, but is not pathogenic to humans and cannot replicate in human cells. Because of the similarity between the monkeypox vaccine virus and these viruses, antibodies produced against this virus would be expected to provide protection against monkeypox, smallpox, and vaccinia virus.

What are the benefits of the monkeypox vaccine according to the studies?

Studies have shown that the monkeypox vaccine is effective in triggering the production of antibodies to a level capable of providing protection against smallpox. Five main studies were conducted. The studies involved more than 2.000 adults, including patients with HIV and atopic dermatitis (an itchy skin condition caused by an overactive immune system) and people who had previously been vaccinated against smallpox. Two of the studies specifically looked at the effectiveness of the monkeypox vaccine as a booster vaccine. In a follow-up study involving 433 previously unvaccinated people, it was found that the level of protective antibodies after vaccination with the monkeypox vaccine was at least as high as that provided by a conventional smallpox vaccine. The duration of the protection is not yet known. Data from several animal studies have shown protection against monkeypox in non-human primates that have been vaccinated with monkeypox vaccine and then exposed to monkeypox virus. monkeypox vaccine is also expected to provide protection against the disease caused by the vaccinia virus, since the vaccine is based on a modified version of the vaccinia virus.

What are the risks associated with the monkeypox vaccine?

The most common side effects of monkeypox vaccine (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) are headache, nausea, myalgia (muscle pain), tiredness and injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, stiffness and itching).
Monkeypox vaccine should not be given to patients who are hypersensitive (allergic) to the active substance or to traces of any substance in the vaccine, such as chicken proteins, benzonase and gentamicin. For the full list of side effects and restrictions, consult the package leaflet.

You can contribute to the monitoring of the safety of the monkeypox vaccine by reporting the adverse reactions that occur to you at the Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, CY-1475 Nicosia, by submitting the Yellow Card in the following ways:

– Electronic submission of the Yellow Card through the website of the Pharmaceutical Services http://www.kitrinikarta.gov.cy

– Paper delivery of the Yellow Card available through the website of the Pharmaceutical Services https://www.moh.gov.cy/phs

-By post, free of charge, to the Pharmacovigilance Unit, Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health CY-1475, Nicosia, phone +357 22608706

– Send via Fax to +357 22608669