The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for a monkeypox vaccine that allow five-fold the number of dosages that are readily available.
The FDA’s EUA will enable intradermal administration (between the layers of skin) of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine with the same immunological response, boosting the amount of “doses accessible for use by up to five-fold,” according to the announcement. The EUA also permits the vaccination of high-risk people under the age of 18.
“JYNNEOS has been tested in individuals with immunocompromising conditions and has been found to be safe and effective in the trials that were performed to support approval. It was initially developed specifically as an alternative for use in immunocompromised individuals in the event of a smallpox outbreak,” the FDA says in their announcement.
The 441,000 doses in the Strategic National Stockpile could be stretched to 2.2 million, says POLITICO.
“In recent weeks the monkeypox virus has continued to spread at a rate that has made it clear our current vaccine supply will not meet the current demand,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf. “The FDA quickly explored other scientifically appropriate options to facilitate access to the vaccine for all impacted individuals. By increasing the number of available doses, more individuals who want to be vaccinated against monkeypox will now have the opportunity to do so.”
Why we need more monkeypox vaccine doses
According to POLITICO, almost every state has verified more than 8,900 instances of monkeypox, with over 27,000 cases globally and 10 deaths.
As we reported last week, there are safe and effective vaccines and treatments for monkeypox, but not nearly enough.
The development of vaccines and treatments for monkeypox demonstrates the value of making investments in medical preventative measures, and the sharp rise in cases and need for further vaccines demonstrates the value of maintaining such investments.
