The monkeypox vaccine is highly effective and protects people two weeks after of the first dose the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday.
A preliminary analysis published by the US agency found that between July 31 and September 3unvaccinated people had a 14-fold increased risk of contracting monkeypox compared to vaccinated people, 14 days or more after your first vaccination.
The results were based on confirmed infections from 32 jurisdictions across the country. The United States has recorded more than 25,000 cases in the current outbreak, which began in May this year and has mainly affected men who have sex with men.
“These new data provide us with a level of cautious optimism that the vaccine is working as intended,” he said. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters during a briefing.
“Even in light of these promising data, we strongly recommend that people receive two doses of the Jynneos vaccine, spaced 28 days apart, to ensure long-lasting immune protection against monkeypox,” he added.
Despite having been approved, there is still no confirmed efficacy estimate for the Jynneos vaccine against monkeypox, because previous studies had only looked at animals and measured human immune response data.
More than 66,000 cases of monkeypox have been detected worldwide.but new infections have declined since August.
The United States has administered more than 680,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine, focusing its efforts on gay and bisexual men, as well as transgender and gender diverse people.
White House Deputy Epidemic Response Coordinator Demetre Daskalakis he said the implementation strategy was moving to a new phase where the vaccine would be offered to people with no prior exposure, rather than after a known exposure.
“This new strategy means that more people who might be at present or future risk of smallpox of the monkey now qualify for the vaccine,” he said.
To reduce stigma, the new guidance would allow health providers to administer the vaccine to Vless areas of the body. visible, including the shoulder or upper back, rather than the forearm, he added.