Acting Director of the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health, Helena Panayiotopoulou, has told CNA that there is supportive treatment in the event of a monkeypox case in Cyprus, noting that there is no need for panic.
Replying to CNA questions, she said that Cyprus has proceeded with a declaration of participation in a joint European tender for the purchase of a vaccine, and noted that it is not known so far when and how many doses will be available for Cyprus.
Noting that at the moment any panic is unnecessary, she said that Cyprus is ready to address any possible incident.
She pointed out that there is a licensed smallpox vaccine and that the European Medicines Agency is expected to publish its recommendations that it can also be administered against monkeypox, as it is by 85% effective.
Stressing that in Europe no one knew about the existence of this disease until now, she said that for now the number of vaccines is limited. Panayiotopoulou noted that EU countries, including Cyprus, are waiting for the completion of the vaccine production in order to receive their supplies.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said in a press release on Monday that during a meeting last Friday, the National Advisory Committee on Vaccinations of the Ministry of Health suggested the use of the vaccinia Ankara (MVA-BN) (Imvanex) vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox, which has been approved by EMA in 2013, for the prevention of smallpox and which is recommended to be administered in two doses.
It is added that this vaccine is internationally recommended for the prevention and treatment of monkeypox, with reported efficacy of 85%.
It is recommended that this particular vaccine be available to specific high-risk groups, such as health professionals, who will be called upon to treat suspicious or confirmed cases, before or after their exposure, and to individuals who are close contacts with a confirmed case. It is also recommended to be administered within four days from the date of exposure.
Source: Cyprus News Agency