In response to the emerging Mpox outbreak, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII), has announced the development of a vaccine aimed at combating the disease. This development follows new state government guidelines for managing Mpox cases and underscores the global health community’s growing concern over the disease’s spread. SII’s vaccine initiative reflects an urgent effort to address potential risks and protect public health.
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- Announcement: Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), revealed that the company is developing a vaccine for Mpox.
- Timeline: Poonawalla expressed hope for a positive outcome and more updates within a year.
- Objective: The new vaccine aims to address risks associated with the Mpox outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.
- Government Guidelines: State government has issued guidelines for isolating suspected Mpox cases.
- Testing: The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune is responsible for testing Mpox samples.
- Current Status: Dr. Pragya Yadav from NIV reported ongoing testing since 2022, with no positive cases of the new lineage yet.
- New Lineage: The CLADE 1B lineage of Mpox has been identified, which can spread sexually, raising additional concerns.
- Expert Concerns: Dr. Raman Gangakhedkar highlighted concerns from an HIV-AIDS perspective, noting the new lineage’s sexual transmission.
- Vaccine Efficacy: Existing vaccines have shown about 80% efficacy, but live attenuated vaccines may be more effective for high-risk individuals.
- Vaccination Strategy: Mass vaccination may not be required; priority may be given to those with multiple sexual partners if needed.
