WASHINGTON – At-risk people who received a single dose of monkeypox vaccine in U.S. attempts to fight the virus appeared to be less likely to get sick, public health officials announced Wednesday, though they urged to receive a second dose for complete protection.
It is the first time that public health authorities have provided information on how the Jynneos vaccine affects monkeypox, a virus that spreads mainly among men who have sex with infected men.
“These new data give us a level of cautious optimism that the vaccine is working as expected,” said Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on Wednesday.
IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE CDC OFFERS AN OPINION ON THE VACCINE
About 800,000 first and second doses of the vaccine have been given across the country to people considered to be at high risk of contracting the virus, said Bob Fenton, coordinator of the White House monkeypox response.
There is currently no scientifically conclusive data demonstrating the efficacy of the Jynneos vaccine against monkeypox.
But new data from the CDC shows that unvaccinated men aged 18 to 49 who were considered eligible to receive the vaccine were 14 times more likely to be infected with monkeypox than those who had received at least one dose. two weeks earlier.
The data come from 32 states and correspond to cases registered between July 31 and September 3.
However, Walensky said, laboratory studies show that the highest level of immunity to the virus is achieved after people receive a second dose of the vaccine, calling it “really important.”
Globally, the United States is the country that has reported the most cases of monkeypox. More than 25,000 infections of the virus have been recorded so far, which can cause skin rashes, fever, body aches and chills.
Health authorities have asked people infected with the virus to stay away from pets.
The country faced problems early in its response, as federal authorities struggled to distribute the vaccine after the first case was detected in May.
Some cities and counties tried to extend limited supply this summer, forcing them to stop offering the second recommended dose of the vaccine.
Now public health officials are trying to catch up by reminding people to take their second dose. As of September 17, about 150,000 second doses had been administered, according to the CDC.
–
