Facing theincreased number of monkeypox cases, the health authorities are betting on an effective weapon: vaccination. To facilitate its access, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has just validated the authorization of a new injection technique in the European Union, which will make it possible to immunize more people.
This vaccine – called Imvanex – can now be administered under the top layer of the skin, intradermally, and no longer in depth (subcutaneously) as it is currently administered. This new technique makes it possible in particular to use less product, ie only one-fifth of the dose, and therefore to immunize more people.
“National authorities may decide, as a temporary measure, to use Imvanex by intradermal injection at a lower dose to protect those at risk during the current outbreak of monkeypox, as long as the vaccine supply remains limit“, said a communicated of the EMA.
Similar antibody levels
The EMA has validated the effectiveness of this technique via a clinical trial involving 500 adults who compared the vaccine administered intradermally and subcutaneously, in two doses with an interval of four weeks between each dose. “People receiving the vaccine intradermally received one-fifth (0.1 ml) of the subcutaneous dose (0.5 ml) but produced similar antibody levels to those who received the next subcutaneous dose. higher”continues the press release.
Nevertheless, the agency warns of a higher risk of local reactionsincluding longer lasting redness at the injection site and thickening or discoloration of the skin.
To address the #monkeypox outbreak in countries, our Emergency Task Force advises that monkeypox vaccine Imvanex can be used as an intradermal injection, just below the top layer of the skin, so more people can be vaccinated.
Find out more https://t.co/opiXGwYnLFpic.twitter.com/r9xWTkDFlC— EU Medicines Agency (@EMA_News) August 19, 2022
This decision – which will therefore make it possible to vaccinate five times as many people with the available vaccine stocks – is “extremely important because it makes it possible to vaccinate five times more people with the stocks of vaccines we have” right now, says EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. “This ensures better access to vaccination for people at risk and healthcare professionals.”she continues.
Source :
- EMA’s Emergency Task Force advises on intradermal use of Imvanex / Jynneos against monkeypox, European Medicines AgencyAugust 19, 2022
