Chile has received its first consignment of the “JYNNEOS” monkeypox vaccine from Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic laboratory. It consists of a live and modified third-generation vaccinia Ankara vaccine, which has already shown to be safe and effective.
“This is great news, because it is the first of three consignments that will arrive in Chile during this year. We will be able to use them to vaccinate and ensure the protection of groups we have defined as priority, following the recommendations of experts on our Vaccines and Immunizations Advisory Committee (CAVEI),” stated Health Minister Ximena Aguilera.
Regarding the future vaccination process, Public Health Undersecretary Cristóbal Cuadrado explained, “close contacts of confirmed monkeypox cases who are at risk of developing severe disease will be inoculated first, those who are immunosuppressed, women at any stage of pregnancy, and HIV patients.”
Despite an increased international demand for the monkeypox vaccine, the acquisition and arrival of these doses in Chile was made possible thanks to coordination with the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Revolving Fund.
International Economic Relations Undersecretary José Miguel Ahumada stressed that “we are extremely satisfied with the success of the efforts entrusted to us by President Boric to seek monkeypox vaccine supplies. After opening bilateral negotiations with the Bavarian Nordic laboratory, we are working on a long-term contract for Chile to have access to vaccines. It is great news for the Chilean people, and complements the work of the Health Ministry through the Pan American Health Organization’s Revolving Fund, which arranged the first doses.”
The following monkeypox vaccine consignments will arrive in November and December, which will allow the vaccine plan that will be announced by the Health Ministry to be carried out.