“Possibility of domestic import, swift introduction measures”… Monkeypox Level 2 Infectious Disease Notice to be issued tomorrow
Domestic stockpiles are 1st and 2nd generation vaccines… Establish a plan through high-risk group vaccination, expert advice, etc.
The quarantine authorities announced on the 7th that they are discussing with manufacturers to introduce a vaccine that has proven effective in preventing monkeypox in Korea.
Kwon Geun-yong, head of the vaccination management team at the Corona 19 Vaccination Response Promotion Team, said at a briefing at the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters on the same day, “We are currently discussing the introduction of the third-generation smallpox vaccine in Korea with the manufacturer.”
“We will inform you regarding the future volume and introduction schedule as soon as it is decided,” he added.
The third-generation smallpox vaccine mentioned by the quarantine authorities is a smallpox vaccine developed by Danish Bavarian Nordic.
This vaccine is called ‘Imbanex’ in Europe and ‘Geneos’ in the US.
Monkey smallpox is a virus that has become endemic in Central and Western Africa, but has recently spread to non-endemic areas such as Europe, North America, Australia, and Argentina, including the UK, raising concerns regarding a global health crisis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 5th (local time), 780 cases of monkeypox infection were confirmed in 27 countries in non-endemic areas.
Although an outbreak has not been confirmed in Korea yet, the quarantine authorities are preparing to be vigilant, such as designating monkey pox as a second-grade infectious disease, considering that there is a possibility of an influx in Korea.
The notice designating monkeypox as a second-grade infectious disease is issued at 10 am on the 8th, and the effect takes effect from 0 o’clock earlier than that.
In case of a second-grade infectious disease, an outbreak or epidemic must be reported within 24 hours, and the infected person must be quarantined.
Team leader Kwon emphasized, “As the number of confirmed cases of monkey smallpox continues to increase worldwide and there is a possibility that it may also be introduced into Korea, we are taking measures to quickly introduce a third-generation smallpox vaccine that has been proven effective in monkeypox.”
The government is currently stockpiling 35.02 million human smallpox vaccines in case of bioterrorism or a national public health crisis.
The human smallpox vaccine is known to be effective in preventing regarding 85% of monkey smallpox.
The domestic smallpox vaccine stockpiles are either first-generation or second-generation vaccines.
The government said it would not disclose detailed information regarding its current smallpox vaccine as it is for terrorism.
The first and second-generation vaccines have a potential for serious adverse reactions, and are difficult to handle as the arm has to be stabbed 15 times with a special needle called a branching needle instead of a syringe.
However, the third-generation vaccine is safer because it can be administered to immunocompromised people, and the inoculation method has been improved because it is a subcutaneous injection.
The government is not considering inoculating the general public with smallpox vaccine stockpiles, given that there are no cases of monkey pox introduced into Korea and the transmission power is not high.
The plan for limiting vaccination to ‘high-risk groups’, those who have been in contact with a confirmed or suspected monkey pox without proper protective equipment, will be established following monitoring overseas trends and consulting with experts.
/yunhap news