The second case of Mpox has been confirmed in India. After Delhi, now a case of monkeypox has been found in Kerala and with this, people's concerns about this infection have increased. Mpox, which is wreaking havoc all over the world, has now started spreading in India as well. In such a situation, it is important that all necessary steps are taken to prevent it.

The most effective way to avoid any virus (Monkeypox treatment) is vaccination. In such a situation, the question arises whether any vaccine has been developed for Mpox? Is this vaccine effective against this infection? If you are also having such questions in your mind, then today in this article we are going to answer all these questions. Let us know the answers to all the questions related to the vaccine for Mpox-

Is there currently a vaccine for ampox?

Yes, currently there is a vaccine available to prevent monkeypox infection. However, currently no available vaccine specifically targets the monkeypox virus. This is because the monkeypox virus belongs to a genus of viruses called Orthopoxvirus, all of which are complex DNA viruses. Viruses of this genus include the Variola virus, which causes smallpox, cowpox virus, and vaccinia virus.

Viruses in this genus have many genetic similarities, so vaccines developed to treat these other viruses can also be used to prevent ampox infection.

How many vaccines are currently available?

Talking about the current available vaccines, as of August 2024, only one vaccine has been approved for ampox across the EU/EEA, United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland and Canada. This vaccine is called MVA-BN vaccine, also known as Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic.

The vaccine contains a weakened strain of the vaccinia virus, one of the viruses in the Orthopoxvirus genus, which is related to the monkeypox virus. The modified vaccinia Ankara vaccine was developed in Germany in the 1950s and 60s and was originally used to prevent smallpox infection.

Currently it is MVA-BN, which is usually given in two doses 28 days apart. Recently, WHO declared the MVA-BN vaccine as the first vaccine to be included in its prequalification list against ampox.

Also during the 2022 ampox outbreak, Japan approved the smallpox vaccine LC16, while Russia licensed OrthopoxVac for vaccination against smallpox, ampox, and other orthopoxviruses.

Is there a vaccine currently being developed?

Yes, a new mRNA vaccine - BNT166 - is currently being worked on, which specifically targets the antigen on the monkeypox virus. This vaccine is currently undergoing clinical evolution.