Europe has approved a smallpox vaccination for monkeypox
A smallpox vaccine for use against monkeypox has been approved by the European Commission, the Danish company behind the vaccine announced on Monday. this comes after the WHO designated monkeypox a global health emergency.
According to a statement from Bavarian Nordic, “The European Commission has extended the marketing authorisation for the company’s smallpox vaccine, Imvanex, to include protection from monkeypox”
Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway are all included in the list of countries that have received clearance from the EU.
A global health emergency, the highest level of alert that the WHO can issue, was announced by the WHO on Saturday in the monkeypox outbreak that has afflicted over 16,000 individuals in 72 countries.
For the prevention of smallpox in Europe, Imvanex has been approved since 2013.
The smallpox virus and the monkeypox virus share many similarities, making it a viable vaccination for monkeypox.
Smallpox was eradicated in 1980, making monkeypox a much less severe and contagious disease.
Fever, headaches, muscle discomfort, and back pain are among the first signs of monkeypox, which lasts for five days.
There are rashes and sores on the face as well as scabs on the palms and soles of the feet.
The number of monkeypox cases outside of West and Central Africa has increased significantly since early May.