Wonder if there is a vaccine for monkeypox?
Good news: There’s actually two.
Here’s how Jynneos and ACAM2000 vaccines work to fight monkeypox.
Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral infection that may result in a rash similar to that observed in smallpox.
Its clinical manifestations may include fevers, chills, lymph node swelling, aches, and pains.
It can also be transmitted via the placenta from an infected person to their fetus.
infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston
As a result, the federal government finally announced this week that the virus is anational public health emergency.
The declaration opens up resource allocation and funds to manage the viruss spread, including distributing vaccines.
Jynneos is the newer of the two vaccines, and has beenaround in the U.S. since 2019.
The vaccine presents a non-replicating virus to the immune system so that antibodies can be produced against it.
Specifically, this vaccine uses asample of a weaker, related orthopoxvirus.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
This vaccine uses a sample ofa live, replicating virus called vacciniato inoculate someone against smallpox.
(More on the implications of that in a minute.)
These vaccines are highly effective at preventing monkeypoxan estimated 85 percent, according to the CDC.
infectious disease specialist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston
They work best before exposure, but can be used for post-exposure vaccination as well, says Dr. Yancey.
If they are given within four days of exposure, they can prevent the disease.
Whats the difference between the two monkeypox vaccines?
That has some implications for how these vaccines are administeredand who receives them.
It takes about four weeks for a persons immune response to fully develop after getting ACAM2000.
They also havedifferent side effects.
But the biggest difference comes down to who can take which vaccine.
(Jynneos is generally considered safer for these populations.)
However, dont bother gettingtoocaught up in the nitty-gritty of these vaccine differences.
Jynneos is the only one that is approved specifically by the FDA to fight monkeypox.
Currently, the demand for the vaccine has far outstripped our supply, says Dr. Yancey.
Over time, this will be expanded to include the immunocompromised and health care workers.
Eventually, it will be made available to the rest of the population if the outbreak continues.
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