A new approach to monkeypox vaccination in Ireland could see a fivefold increase in the number of available doses, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) last week issued updated advice on the use of vaccines against the disease, more than 100 cases of which have been diagnosed in Ireland.
In a statement, it explained that the vaccine had only been authorised for subcutaneous injection, those given under the skin. However, when given intradermally, a more shallow injection, a smaller dose of the vaccine can be used, it said.
“Given the currently limited supply of the vaccine, this means that more people can be vaccinated.”
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That advice was subsequently considered by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) and its recommendation to follow the approach has been accepted by interim Chief Medical Officer Prof Breda Smyth.
“These latest recommendations from Niac could provide for a fivefold increase in available doses of vaccine,” Mr Donnelly said in a statement announcing the move on Wednesday night.
Prof Smyth said the decision marked an “important day” and that the recommendations would “enable more extensive roll out of the vaccination programme.”
The EMA had noted that national health authorities might decide to use intradermal injections as a temporary measure to protect at-risk individuals during the current outbreak while vaccine supply remained limited.
A total of 113 monkeypox cases had been identified in the State as of last week.
Most monkeypox patients experience only fever, body aches, chills and fatigue, but some may develop a rash and lesions on the face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body. Most people recover within a few weeks. The incubation period of monkeypox is usually six to 13 days, but can range from five to 21 days.
Mr Donnelly said that although anyone, regardless of sexuality, can contract monkeypox, data indicates that almost all cases in Ireland are amongst men who self-identify as gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men.
“I have had several meetings with stakeholders and representatives of this community over the course of the summer and I will continue to work with my department and the HSE to facilitate this helpful, open engagement,” he said.
The move comes as researchers at the University of Oxford plan to assess whether an antiviral drug can help alleviate symptoms among those infected.
They aim to recruit 500 trial participants in the UK to test whether Tecovirimat — also known as Tpoxx — can help reduce the amount of time people are sick.
