2024-08-17 00:57:44
There are effective vaccines against the infectious disease Mpox. But who should be immunized? And does the smallpox vaccination from back then still protect?
The most important things at a glance
A smallpox vaccine called Imvanex has been approved in the European Union since 2013. It is considered to be better tolerated than older smallpox vaccines. The vaccine has also been approved for certain people to protect against Mpox since July 2022. However, since it was not available in the meantime, the almost identical vaccine Jynneos from the USA was also used. Read here who the vaccination is now recommended for and how effective it is.
A general vaccination against Mpox is currently not recommended. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends it in cases of increased risk of infection up to 14 days after contact with infected people. People who have an increased risk of coming into contact with the pathogen in their private or professional environment are also advised to be vaccinated. This includes, for example, immunocompromised people. As a preventive measure, men who have sex with different men are also advised to be immunized.
It is a live vaccine with viruses that cannot reproduce in humans. The vaccine is based on a weakened cowpox virus.
- Read also: These symptoms are typical for Mpox
The vaccine is approved for use from the age of 18. For people who have not received smallpox vaccination in the past, primary immunization consists of two doses of vaccine administered at least 28 days apart.
While the first dose of vaccine already provides good basic protection against Mpox, the second dose of vaccine serves in particular to extend the duration of the vaccine protection. For people who have already been vaccinated against smallpox in the past, one dose of vaccine is sufficient.
Since the vaccines Imvanex and Jynneos are only available to a limited extent, the vaccine doses are distributed by the federal states. The vaccination is covered by statutory health insurance companies.
The vaccination offers a high level of protection against infection and also greatly reduces the risk of a serious course of the disease if infection does occur. According to studies from Israel, England and the USA, the effectiveness of a single dose of vaccine is estimated at 87 percent. For two doses of the vaccine, the effectiveness is estimated at 89 percent.
In general, it can be assumed that good basic protection is already available 14 days after the first dose of vaccine is administered. Studies have shown that the immune protection provided by the first vaccination decreases after two years and a second dose of vaccine is required for permanent protection.
Important to note: The vaccination cannot provide 100 percent protection against disease.
People over 40 usually have a small scar on their upper arm. This is from the smallpox vaccination, which was compulsory in West Germany until 1976 and in East Germany until 1982 and was administered using a vaccination gun. The vaccination protected against the smallpox virus Variola, which has since been eradicated worldwide.
And indeed, it is assumed that people who have been vaccinated against smallpox in the past also have protection against Mpox due to a so-called cross-immunity.
Despite the fact that the effectiveness of the smallpox vaccination diminishes over time, experts estimate based on study results that a previous smallpox vaccination provides 85 percent protection against Mpox. The vaccination therefore provides even better protection against severe disease progression.
The Stiko therefore generally recommends only a single vaccination with Imvanex/Jynneos for people who have already been vaccinated against smallpox. This vaccination boosts the vaccination protection.
According to the German AIDS Aid organization, very common side effects (in more than ten percent of those vaccinated) are headaches, nausea, muscle pain and reactions at the injection site. The vaccination reactions usually subside after just a few days.