First batch of monkeypox shots lands in Brazil
The first shipment of imported vaccines against monkeypox has landed in Brazil. According to the Ministry of Health, the batch with 9.8 thousand doses landed at Guarulhos Airport, São Paulo, on Tuesday (Oct 4).
Approximately 50 thousand doses have been purchased through the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) rotating fund. The next shipments are expected later this year.
According to the ministry, the inoculation will be used to conduct studies, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). “It is important to emphasize that the vaccines are safe and are currently used against human smallpox or common smallpox. Therefore, the study aims to produce evidence on the effectiveness, immunogenicity, and safety of the monkeypox vaccine, thus informing the decision of managers,” the ministry declared.
The research will be spearheaded by research foundation Fiocruz with support from the WHO as well as funding from the ministry. The study was discussed by health officials along with PAHO, researchers, and experts.
