The European medicines regulator said on Thursday it had entered into discussions with the maker of a vaccine against human smallpox, eradicated for more than 40 years, to possibly extend its use against its cousin, monkeypox.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it was in contact with the manufacturer of the Imvanex vaccine “as a precaution”, to ensure that there is sufficient stock if necessary.
“Although the spread is rather unprecedented in Europe, it is not currently a public health emergency,” Marco Cavaleri, EMA’s head of vaccine strategy, told a conference in hurry.
Authorized in 2013
Monkey pox (“monkeypox” in English) or “simian orthopox virus” is a disease considered rare, known to humans since 1970. It is considered much less dangerous and contagious than its cousin, smallpox.
The Imvanex vaccine, made by the Danish company Bavarian Nordic, was authorized by the EMA in 2013 for smallpox, but the manufacturer did not seek authorization at the time for its use against monkeypox. Animal data showed Imvanex to be “effective” against monkeypox, Cavaleri said.
Two new cases in Switzerland
Two new cases of the disease have been reported in Switzerland, the Federal Office of Public Health (OFSP) announced on Thursday evening. They bring the total number of cases registered in the country since May 21 to six.
Currently, the OFSP considers that there is no danger for the population, he indicates on the page dedicated to the disease. The location of the new cases is not specified.