The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has announced that a vaccine for smallpox, which has similar symptoms, is effective in preventing the onset of monkeypox. formally approved for use in smallpox.
Regarding monkeypox, according to a summary of the CDC = United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of the 1st of this month, 23,620 people were confirmed to be infected in 80 countries and regions around the world, and in Japan, one each on the 25th and 28th of last month. , A total of two people with a history of staying abroad have been confirmed to be infected.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has been considering the possibility of using the smallpox vaccine of KM Biologics, a vaccine manufacturer in Kumamoto Prefecture, as a preventive measure against monkeypox, and officially approved it on the 2nd.
It is being considered for use by medical staff and test staff who are expected to be in charge of hospitalized patients, and public health center staff who may come into contact with patients when transporting them to hospitals. is.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the smallpox vaccine is said to be 85% effective in preventing monkeypox overseas. It is said that vaccination within 14 days is effective in preventing aggravation.
In addition, in vaccination and research so far, convulsions may occur as a side effect in rare cases, but most of them are mild, so the WHO = World Health Organization also recommends their use.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, a sufficient amount of smallpox vaccine is stockpiled in Japan, and we will continue to develop therapeutic drugs and inspection systems.