Monkeypox: vaccination starts today; understand

This Monday begins the vaccination campaign against monkeypox, a disease also called mpox and previously known as “monkey pox”. According to the Ministry of Health, as the current epidemiological scenario of monkeypox shows a progressive decline, immunization will prioritize the protection of people at greater risk of contamination and evolution to the severe forms of the disease.

The folder authorized two vaccination strategies: pre- and post-exposure. The priority groups for pre-exposure are:

• People living with HIV/AIDS with an immune status identified by a CD4 T lymphocyte count of less than 200 cells in the last six months: cisgender men, transvestites and transgender women; aged 18 years or over;
• Professionals who work in laboratories in contact with the virus (pre-exposure): people aged 18 to 49 who work directly with Orthopoxvirus [a família do vírus da monkeypox] in laboratories with biosafety level 3 (NB-3).

Post-exposure vaccination applies to:

• People who had direct contact with fluids and bodily secretions of people suspected, probable or confirmed to have monkeypox, whose exposure is classified as high or medium risk, according to WHO recommendations.

The vaccine schedule will be two doses, with an interval of four weeks between them. It is indicated for use in adults aged 18 years and older. The vaccine authorized in Brazil is Jynneos, produced by the Danish company Bavarian Nordic. This is the same immunizer used in the United States and Europe.