Monkeypox: the Ministry of Health will start vaccinating on the 13th; see eligible groups

Pasta has sent a technical report to States and Municipalities with the groups suitable for pre- and post-vaccination against the disease; Brazil has 46 thousand doses to apply

With 46 thousand doses made available by the National Immunization Program, the Ministry of Health is preparing to kick off the vaccination campaign against Mpox (monkeypox). The application of the immunizer begins next Monday, the 13th, as reported by the Health and Environment Surveillance Secretariat, Ethel Maciel, at the State.

The report also had access to the technical report sent to states and municipalities. According to the document, people with HIV/AIDS who have “a CD4 T cell count of less than 200 cells” and professionals who work directly with orthopoxviruses in laboratories will be eligible for pre-exposure vaccination. For post-exposure, contacts of patients with suspected or confirmed disease classified as high- or medium-risk exposure.

Considering that there is no longer any vaccinations available on the market (the ministry had purchased 49,000, but has only received 46,000, according to the document), the vaccination strategy continues until supplies run out.

The first shipment of immunizers, with 9,800 units, was received from Brazil in October. The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) had unanimously approved the use of the Jynneos/Imvanex vaccines in August, extending the exemption from registration for another six months in February this year.

The document also brings the epidemiological design of the epidemic in the country up to week 7 of 2023 (from 2/12/2023 to 2/18/2023). In total, 50,803 suspected cases of Mpox were reported: 10,301 (20.3%) were confirmed; 339 (0.7%) classified as probable; 3,665 (7.2%) suspected and 36,498 (71.8%) rejected. In the period, 15 deaths were recorded.

The case curve shows growth from July and a peak in August. Then, since September, a downward trend, even if cases continue to be reported. This persistence, according to the document, is what justifies the need for the campaign and the attention to patients with potential worsening cases.

“Considering the epidemiological panorama of Mpox infection, with the persistence of confirmed cases in the Brazilian territory and, despite a decreasing trend worldwide, the frequency of deaths and the occurrence of morbidity and mortality are higher among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), especially in those with an immune status of CD4 T-cell count below 200 cells,” the paper reads.

“Fortunately, the epidemiological scenario is one of decline,” says Ethel. “Since the virus is still in circulation – there is no elimination, but control – it is important to vaccinate for greater protection of the people most vulnerable to developing more serious clinical conditions or more exposed to the virus”.

When asked why vaccination is only now starting, Ethel said “we have received (the government) with unused doses and asked Anvisa for authorization to use the vaccines”.

OR Stadium he tried to speak directly with the Ministry of Health, through the press office, but received no response.

To the report, former Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga stated that “Anvisa has granted the registration of vaccines on an exceptional basis and linked to monitoring”, and that “the technical area has recommended carrying out an investigation into the responsibility of researchers of the Oswaldo Croce Foundation”.

“By the end of the mandate, Conep (National Research Ethics Committee) had not approved the research protocol”, said Queiroga. “According to what I was informed, the Term of Free and Informed Consent (TCLE) presented by the researchers had not been accepted by Conep”.

campaign and vaccine

Initially the portfolio will only transfer enough to federate units to vaccinate 50% of the target population of pre-exposure vaccination. “The sending of more doses will depend on the progress of the vaccination and, depending on local demand, the UF should request the Ministry of Health to send further shipments”, reads the document.

“A strategic stock will be maintained at the state and central level, aiming at redistribution in view of the evolution of the epidemiological scenario and the emergence of new cases”, he concludes. Health estimates there are just over 16,300 eligible people with HIV/AIDS in the country, according to public health system data for the last six months of last year.

The vaccine to be used is Jynneos which, according to the file, is a “live vaccine”. “Produced from the modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) strain, an attenuated, non-replicating orthopoxvirus against smallpox and monkeypox, that induces humoral and cellular immune responses to orthopoxviruses.”

The vaccination schedule is two doses (with 0.5 ml each), four weeks apart (28 days). It is indicated for use in adults 18 years of age and older.

Suitable groups for pre-exposure vaccination

1 – Persons affected by HIV/AIDS: cisgender men, transvestites and transsexual women; aged 18 or over; and with immunological status identified by CD4 T cell counts of less than 200 cells in the past six months.

2 – Laboratory professionals working directly with Orthopoxviruses in Biosafety Level 3 (NB-3) laboratories, 18 to 49 years of age.

Suitable groups for post-exposure vaccination

1 – Persons who have had direct contact with bodily fluids and secretions of persons suspected, probable or confirmed for mpoxide, whose exposure is classified as high (direct exposure of skin or mucous membranes to skin or respiratory secretions) or medium (no direct exposure contact, but neighbors in the same room or internal physical space) risk.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.