CDC Advisory Committee Unanimously Recommends Jynneos Vaccine for Mpox Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently evaluating whether or not to approve the use of the Jynneos mpox vaccine for adults who are at risk of catching the disease during an outbreak. The independent vaccine advisers to the CDC voted unanimously in favor of the recommendation for the two-dose vaccine series for people aged 18 years and older.
Since the peak of the latest outbreak of monkeypox (renamed mpox) in August, the amount of new cases in the United States has drastically decreased.[0] Experts stated that although the seven-day average indicates only two new cases per day, which is much lower than the 450 cases per day in August, it is still higher than the US has had in past years.[0]
The Jynneos vaccine is intended to be given as two doses one month apart, although some protection was seen in people who received only one.[1] 62% of vaccine recipients reported mild side effects, such as redness at the injection site, fatigue (40%), headache (24%), and fever (17%).[2] It is unclear how long protection lasts, but studies have suggested the vaccine remains protective for at least two years.[1]
More than 1 million doses of the Jynneos vaccine have been distributed in the U.S. and the CDC encourages people who are at risk to get vaccinated.[0] Dr. Melinda Wharton, Associate Director for Vaccine Policy at the CDC, noted that the recent outbreak has once more demonstrated the risks infectious diseases can bring to our communities, the significance of a strong public health response from the state and local level, the advantage of having partners and communities actively involved in responding to public health issues, and the influence a vaccine can have in aiding in containing an outbreak.[0]
If the CDC agrees with the advisory committee's recommendation, there will be a recommendation in place to give the vaccine to people who are at risk for mpox during future outbreaks. The CDC will also determine whether it will approve the vaccine for children under the age of 18. Mpox is no minor infection and can cause severe complications, including blindness and brain swelling, so the vaccine will be an important part of controlling future outbreaks.
0. “CDC advisers vote in favor of using mpox vaccine in future outbreaks” KTVZ, 22 Feb. 2023, https://ktvz.com/news/2023/02/22/cdc-advisers-vote-in-favor-of-using-mpox-vaccine-in-future-outbreaks/
1. “Mpox vaccine worked well, safely, CDC data shows. Committee votes to continue its use.” Yahoo News, 22 Feb. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/mpox-vaccine-worked-well-safely-204252359.html
2. “CDC Recommends 2-Dose Monkeypox Vaccine Despite a ‘Small' Risk” The Epoch Times, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.theepochtimes.com/cdc-recommends-2-dose-monkeypox-vaccine-despite-a-small-risk_5076410.html
