After Thailand found 7 people infected with smallpox (Monkeypox), classified as B.1 strain, 1 person and A.2, 6 people, the Department of Medical Sciences has brought both strains to breed. and used to test for immunity against smallpox In people who have received the smallpox vaccine (Smallpox) or vaccinated for more than 40 years, whether they still have enough immunity to fight the smallpox virus.
by Dr. Supakit Sirilak, Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences revealed the test results that by detecting the level of immunity in people who have received the smallpox vaccine
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Using Plaque Reduction Neutrakization Test (PRNT) method in the age group of 45-74 years, divided into 3 groups, the results are as follows:
Age group 45-54 years : No one had a titer level greater than or equal to 32 for the B.1 and A.2 strains, meaning that no one had the immunity to neutralize the two smallpox virus strains.
Age group 55-64 years : One person had a titer level of 32 and 39 for strains B.1 and A.2, respectively, and the other person had a titer level of 35 per strain A.2 only, meaning that only two were immune to negation. The effect of smallpox virus
age group 65-74 years : No one had a titer level greater than or equal to 32 for the B.1 and A.2 strains, meaning that no one had the immunity to neutralize the two smallpox virus strains.
In the 2 patients who had been infected with smallpox A.2 strains, when tested for immunity, the titer level per BA.1 strain was greater than 51 and the titer level per strain A.2 was greater than 51. More than 80 to 192
While among those who did not receive the smallpox vaccine, the level of titer for both strains was very low, meaning they were virtually immune to the smallpox virus.
In conclusion, the vast majority of Thai people who received the smallpox vaccine for more than 40 years, 28 of them, were not immune to both strains of the monkeypox virus, but 2 cases were found to have protective immunity.
However, on the principle of vaccination Many vaccines cannot last a lifetime. in the case of smallpox itself Vaccines provide good protection for 3-5 years, after which the immunity will gradually decrease, but if we want to keep the immunity high. must be injected But in the past, smallpox disappeared more than 40 years ago. Therefore, no one has received a booster vaccine.
There are two reasons for vaccination: one is to prevent disease. and two for reducing the proliferation of viruses. or reduce the severity of the disease Currently, there is no direct vaccine for smallpox. But the vaccine used is smallpox vaccine But injected and crossed to prevent smallpox. Because they are the same family, the result is about 85%, which is considered sufficient. and the vaccination is no longer available. because there is a reasonable risk
There is now a version 3 vaccine by now the US and Europe. Approved to use. There are 2 types of injection methods: injected into the skin. and injected into the subcutaneous layer The Department of Disease Control has ordered the smallpox vaccine, generation 3, the number of 1,000 doses in 1 person must be injected 2 doses, so it can support 500 people, but who will be injected at the academic committee to set the rules
Asked if it was necessary to get it for general injections. At the moment we see that smallpox vaccination is not necessary. because the infection is not very fast Over the past several months, there have only been 7 cases, and each of them has a reason for coming and going. in close contact not contagious like covid who went to eat at the same restaurant and stuck Therefore, there will be no chance of spreading greatness. The A.2 strain is rarely severe. The death risk is less than 5%, 50,000 infections, 15 deaths, it is considered very low, several hundred times lower than COVID-19. except people with low immunity or taking medication that suppresses the immune system including small children who may encounter problems
As for the smallpox vaccine from the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) in Thailand, there are 500,000 doses in reserve because it is the first generation vaccine. And when injected, it may cause scars. including meningitis spinal cord or heart muscle problems if it will actually be used Must come to weigh whether it’s worth it or not. But now as the world talks about It’s still not worth injecting.
However, the Department of Medical Sciences has discussed with the National Vaccine Institute and some universities. To coordinate with the infection to research and develop a smallpox vaccine directly on its own which is under consideration But the easiest would be to develop from a lethal smallpox vaccine. Because it is easy to do and is a familiar platform.
Dr. Supakit reiterated that Now people who are not immune Universal Prevention measures can be followed by washing hands with soap or alcohol gel. wear a mask and distance Because this social measure is still sufficient to prevent smallpox.
know “monkey pox”
“monkey pox” It was first seen in infected monkeys in 1958, before in 1970 in humans from the Congo. and became endemic in Central and West Africa. Because people in that area will have to feed or eat some wild animals. which caused such problems
Until 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) began to find cases of chickenpox in many countries, with 4,594 people and 171 deaths. Due in part to the virulent strain from Central Africa, then by 2020, smallpox cases around the world are likely to increase. When during the past July The World Health Organization has therefore declared an international public health emergency.
situation “monkey pox”
As of September 2, 2022, there are 50,327 confirmed cases in 100 countries and 15 deaths.
The number of monkey pox infections has increased dramatically. But the mortality did not increase much. Because it is a species that comes from West Africa. which the mortality rate is quite low
Thailand has a spare smallpox vaccine, 5 hundred thousand doses, aiming to purchase a new model. use for injection only
Thailand rushes to check the quality of the first “smallpox” vaccine, injecting up to 500,000 people in case of necessity.