Monkeypox vaccine IMVANEX approved by European Commission

European Commission has given permission for the Imvanex vaccine to be marketed as protection against Monkeypox, as recommended last week by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Globally, over 16,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported from 75 countries. This vaccine is developed by Danish biotechnology company Bavarian Nordic.

Monkey Pox Virus

In the current outbreak in countries and amongst the reported monkeypox cases, transmission appears to be occurring primarily through close physical contact, including sexual contact. Transmission can also occur from contaminated materials such as linens, bedding, electronics, and clothing, that have infectious skin particles.

Important points of Imvanex vaccine:

• Imvanex is a non-replicating smallpox vaccine developed in collaboration with the U.S. government to ensure the supply of a smallpox vaccine for the entire population, including immunocompromised individuals.
• The vaccine gained regulatory approvals in Canada (marketed as Imvamune) and the U.S. (marketed as Jynneos) where the approvals have been extended to include the monkeypox indication as the only vaccine obtained this to-date.
• The vaccine was approved by the European Commission in 2013 for immunization against smallpox in adults aged 18 years and older.
• Imvanex can be used as active immunisation against smallpox, monkeypox and disease caused by the vaccinia virus in adults.