A vaccine proven effective against the mpox virus is available abroad but not yet in the Philippines, a vaccine expert said on Thursday, Aug. 22.
“Meron po tayong bakuna [para sa mpox] pero hindi iyan available sa atin (We do have a vaccine [for mpox], but it is not available to us),” said Dr. Nina Gloriani, the former chairperson of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP), during a dzBB interview.
The VEP, which Gloriani led, was at the forefront during the country’s fight against Covid-19.
Gloriani noted that there are now three generations of vaccines for mpox, with each generation showing increased effectiveness.
The current one, Gloriani explained, is the third-generation vaccine available in the United States, Europe, and Canada but not in the Philippines.
“Ito ay buhay na virus na pinahina para di maka-cause ng disease pero nakakapag-stimulate nung immunity or yung immune response, nakakapag-bigay ng proteksyon (This is a weakened live virus that cannot cause disease but can stimulate immunity or the immune response, providing protection),” Gloriani explained.
The vaccine for mpox, Gloriani explained, is effective against both clades 1 and 2.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/21/doh-confirms-mpox-case-10-as-clade-ii-variant-why-it-matters
How can the Philippines get the mpox vaccine?
For the Philippines to acquire the vaccine for mpox, Gloriani said that the country needs to apply first.
“Kailangan mag-apply muna sila dito nung tinatawag na CPR (Certificate of Product Registration) para sa private use (We need to first apply here for what is called a CPR (Certificate of Product Registration) for private use),” Gloriani explained.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the issuance of a CPR is granted to the Marketing Authorization Holder of Biologics and Vaccines that meets the standards for quality, safety, and efficacy of their product based on the provided documentation.
“Hindi ko alam kung ang gobyerno ay ikino-consider ba bumili kailangan pag i-consider bumili ng gobyerno, kailangan mataas ang kaso (I’m not sure if the government is considering buying it. For the government to consider purchasing, there needs to be a high number of cases),” she added.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/22/doh-plans-to-secure-vaccines-effective-against-mpox
As of Aug. 19, the Department of Health (DOH) said the country had 10 mpox cases detected since 2022. There are also no reported deaths to date.
All detected mpox cases, DOH said, were identified as clade II, which is considered “milder” compared to the deadly strain in African countries, which is clade I — particularly its subclade or clade 1b.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/21/mpox-what-are-clades-and-how-do-they-affect-you
Gloriani pointed out that the mpox vaccine is not yet available in the Philippines because it has yet to apply for CPR and the detected cases remain low.
Mpox vaccine
Gloriani explained that the mpox vaccine is administered in two doses, one month apart.
The first dose, she said, has an immediate effect. The second dose is given for added protection. “Nasa 80 to 85 percent (ang effectiveness), mataas po yun (The effectiveness is around 80 to 85 percent, which is quite high),” Gloriani said.
While the mpox vaccine is available, Gloriani stressed that it is not meant for the general population.
“Ang binibigyan ay high-risk individuals kagaya ng may close contact (It is given to high-risk individuals, such as those with close contact),” she explained.
“Hindi ito para sa general population kaya wag po tayong maghintay, hindi pa po. Yung high-risk groups lang (This is not for the general population, so let’s not wait for it yet. It’s only for high-risk groups),” she added.
Vaccines, in general, are meant for prevention, according to Gloriani. In the case of mpox, for instance, they can be given pre-exposure and post-exposure.
Asked if those who were infected with the mpox virus could get vaccinated, Gloriani said they could. However, she pointed out that those who have recovered from the viral disease have built up immunity against the virus.
“Maganda ang proteksyon after natural infection basta gumaling (Protection is good after a natural infection, as long as you recover),” she explained.
Gloriani reiterated that the mpox vaccine is not available in the Philippines and that it is also “difficult” to develop the vaccine in the country.
Prevention is key
In the absence of the mpox vaccine in the Philippines, Gloriani underscored the importance of preventive measures to curb the transmission of the virus.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/17/mpox-what-is-it-and-how-concerned-should-you-be
With the detection of a new mpox case in the country this year, Gloriani emphasized the importance of being cautious and practicing personal hygiene.
“Dapat alam natin ang risk factors (We should be aware of the risk factors),” Gloriani said.
The mpox virus is transmitted through close contact, body fluids, skin-to-skin contact, and intimate contact.
“Mas importante sa ngayon, yung personal hygiene, pag-iingat na maka-transmit o makakuha (What’s most important right now is personal hygiene and being careful to avoid transmission or contracting the infection),” Gloriani explained.
“Kailangan sabihan ang mga tao lalo na ng mga high-risk behavior (People, especially those engaging in high-risk behavior, need to be informed),” she added.
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