Mpox vaccine Jynneos has been given provisional approval by Medsafe as the Government says the risk in New Zealand from the disease remains low.
Two confirmed cases of mpox have now been found with “likely links” to Queenstown’s Winter Pride Festival, according to the Government.
The vaccine has been used since last year for those at the greatest risk from mpox, but the new approval means greater opportunities for access.
Health Minister Shane Reti said he was now receiving daily reports on the spread of the disease. The overall risk in New Zealand remains “low”, he said.
“Medsafe and Health New Zealand have been working closely on the vaccine approval process. Health New Zealand has acted as an intermediary for the company to get this over the line,” Reti said in a media release.
The case has chosen to speak out to encourage others to be on the lookout for symptoms and to help prevent the disease spreading further. (Source: 1News)
“I am informed we now have two confirmed cases of mpox with likely links to the Winter Pride Festival. Investigations are continuing which may result in other cases — but the overall risk of mpox to New Zealand remains low.
“Health NZ is reporting to me daily, and an incident management team has been stood up at national level to coordinate the public health response. Management and support of cases, treatment and other operational activities continues to be managed at regional level.”
Burnett Foundation chief executive Joe Rich said on Monday that approval of the vaccine was needed to allow the charity to better promote it to vulnerable groups.
He said: “The more pressing challenge we are currently facing is the capacity for the vaccine to be administered at sexual health clinics, with long wait times for many around the country.
“Our vaccination rates for our eligible population are currently very low, with only a small percentage having received both doses of the vaccine. This number needs to be much higher to stop the spread and keep our communities safe.”
The next step is for the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group to “promptly review which groups are at greatest risk and most likely to benefit from the vaccine now that the provisional approval is in place”, according to Reti.
Otago University public health expert Michael Baker said yesterday the disease could be effectively managed with case diagnosis, isolation and contact tracing.
“This virus is largely transmitted by close physical contact and is not considered an airborne infection like Covid-19 — though droplet spread is likely, and masks are also part of infection control when caring for mpox cases,” he said.
“Consequently, basic public health and social measures such as case diagnosis, isolation, contact tracing and quarantine of contacts are highly effective at limiting spread of mpox.”
Reti said, “the focus of the response at this stage is on minimising the spread of mpox through preventative treatment measures and proactive communications.”
“Agencies are also encouraging people to seek the support of sexual health clinics and healthcare professionals, and to refrain from sexual activity if they have symptoms.”
Associate Health Minister David Seymour also welcomed the vaccine’s provisional approval.
“Medsafe says the provisional approval, based on the information provided by Health New Zealand, means the vaccine meets acceptable standards for efficacy, quality and safety when used for groups at risk of mpox,” he said.
“This decision means New Zealand joins countries which have approved the use of the vaccine. In Australia, the use of the vaccine has been allowed under an exemption provision in their medicine regulatory legislation.”
The virus can spread through close contact, including intimate and sexual contact with a person with mpox. Men who have sex with men are the most at risk.
People who believe they may have been exposed to mpox or have symptoms, especially a rash, have been urged to stay home and seek medical advice.
Those at greater risk of mpox can book a consultation with a health professional at a sexual health service to discuss prevention options, including vaccination.
