Increase in side effects with new monkeypox jab
THE Government was forced to change how it administers the monkeypox vaccine as a result of “very limited” doses, it has emerged.
A total of 150,000 doses were purchased in two bouts by the Department for Health, but Thérèse Coffey, the former health secretary, declined to buy any more despite the outbreak.
Officials changed jab methods from a 0.5ml dose deep into the flesh, called a subcutaneous injection, to a 0.1ml intradermal method that goes just under the skin.
This method is described as being “non-inferior” by experts and is known to cause more side effects for the patient.
Now, The Sunday Telegraph understands that the “pressure” of a very limited supply of vaccine “did influence” the decision to switch to intradermal vaccination.
Only one firm in the world, Bavarian Nordic, manufactures a vaccine that can be given to prevent the disease and soaring demand led to delivery delays.
In August, amid concerns of dwindling supplies and reports of at-risk people struggling to have an appointment, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) trialled “fractional dosing” via intradermal injections to allow for more doses to be given from a single vial.
Data from the early trial revealed that using intradermal vaccination “would allow up to a three-fold increase in the number of people that can be offered [a] vaccine”, according to a statement from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
The method is described as being “non-inferior” by the European Medicines Agency and the EU analysis is cited by UK health officials and endorsed by the JCVI in the UK’s decision to move to the intradermal method.
The analysis is largely based on a phase two clinical trial – run by the US Government more than a decade ago amid concerns of a smallpox bioterrorism attack – which does not show the adopted method gives better protection and also proves side effects are more likely.
Meera Chand, UKHSA director of clinical and emerging infections, said the UK is “moving in the right direction” with monkeypox, which has been spreading mainly in gay men since it arrived in Britain in May.
“Emerging infections affecting the UK are not unexpected but our systems need to be able to adapt quickly to different pathogens, modes of transmission and clinical challenges such as new vaccines or treatments,” Dr Chand said.
“The monkeypox outbreak has been an example of this and reminds us of the diversity of the risks that we need to prepare for.”