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Vaccination

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The number of monkeypox cases continues to rise. The WHO indicates that there are now 19,000 positive cases worldwide, and that Spain is one of the countries with the highest number of confirmed cases. There are now more than 3,100 cases in Spain.

One of the prevention strategies is vaccination. Third-generation smallpox vaccines are available. These vaccines are much more tolerated than those used in the past.

The Modified Vaccinia Ankara vaccine, manufactured by Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) and marketed in the EU under the name Imvanex and in the USA under the name Jynneos, is a third-generation smallpox vaccine which has been licensed by the EMA and FDA for the prevention of smallpox and now, also, for the prevention of monkeypox.

These vaccines contain modified live Ankara cowpox virus (MVA). These modified viruses are not replicating and therefore cannot produce or transmit disease.

In the context of the current global monkeypox outbreak, this MVA-BN vaccine has been authorised for use as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis in specific high-risk cases.

We don't know for sure. No studies have been conducted yet in this regard. Monkeypox virus is closely related to the smallpox virus, a disease that has already been eradicated. As such, smallpox vaccines can provide significant protection against monkeypox. In Africa, in a different context to that of Spain, this protection has been estimated at 85%.

Data from multiple clinical trials demonstrate that the MVA-BN vaccine has a much more favourable adverse effect profile than first- and second-generation smallpox vaccines.

The most common adverse effects are local reactions and flu-like symptoms. The most frequent ones (affecting more than 1 in every 10 people) are:

  • headache,
  • muscle pain,
  • nausea,
  • tiredness,
  • pain, reddening of the skin, swelling, induration (hardening of the skin and subcutaneous tissue) or itching at the injection site.  

The vaccine should not be administered to people with hypersensitivity (severe allergy) to the active substance or to egg proteins, benzonase, gentamicin or ciprofloxacin.The vaccine should not be administered to people with hypersensitivity (severe allergy) to the active substance or to egg proteins, benzonase, gentamicin or ciprofloxacin.

People with atopic dermatitis have more injection site reactions (erythema, swelling) and more generalised symptoms (headache, myalgia, chills, nausea and fatigue) than the general population. In 7% of the cases, the atopic dermatitis can get worse. Each case needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The MVA-BN vaccine is considered safe in immunodepressed people, including those infected by HIV.

It is administered through a subcutaneous injection in the upper arm (in the deltoids). The vaccine does not cause injury at the injection site.

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Substantiated information by:

Anna Vilella
Antoni Trilla

Published: 27 May 2022
Updated: 27 May 2022

The donations that can be done through this webpage are exclusively for the benefit of Hospital Clínic of Barcelona through Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica and not for BBVA Foundation, entity that collaborates with the project of PortalClínic.

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