Jamaica to Receive Limited Supply of Monkey Pox Vaccines

Jamaica is set to receive a limited supply of monkeypox vaccines by the end of September.

This acquisition is being facilitated through collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

“We are advised that the manufacturers of the smallpox vaccine that has been shown to be effective in protecting persons from money pox has supplied limited amounts to the market and, as such, only approximately 3,500 doses of the vaccine have been promised to us. It is to be noted that we may not receive this amount, as the supply of the vaccine is in high demand with very limited supply,” Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, informed.

He was speaking during Tuesday’s (September 6) sitting of the House of Representatives.

Dr. Tufton said to maximise the use of the vaccine and achieve the objectives of containment, Cabinet has given approval for administering the vaccine, in this phase, as a post-exposure prophylaxis.

“The vaccine, once in country, will be administered only to persons who come into close contact with a diagnosed patient. These persons would include healthcare workers involved in direct care of monkeypox patients… and household contacts of confirmed cases, to include sexual partners,” the Minister explained.

He added that once the country receives more doses of the vaccine, the prioritisation method will be refined, and the public will be advised.

“We have been advised by PAHO that it is not anticipated that additional does will be made available to Jamaica before 2023,” Dr. Tufton said.

Monkeypox is a rare disease resulting from infection by the monkeypox virus. The Monkeypox virus is a zoonotic disease and is part of the family of viruses known as variola virus, which causes smallpox.

The symptoms are similar to those characteristic of smallpox, but milder; monkeypox is deemed rarely fatal.

The signs and symptoms associated with the disease include fever, chills, intense headache, extreme exhaustion, muscle and backaches, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that usually appears one to three days after the onset of the fever.