The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has set aside a budget of 21 million baht to acquire 3,000 doses of the mpox vaccine.
The MVA-BN vaccine, developed in Denmark, is expected to arrive within four months and will be administered to high-risk individuals, according to Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, the department’s director-general.
This vaccine is aimed at controlling the spread of the disease, meaning it will not be necessary for the entire population. It will be provided only to high-risk groups based on medical guidelines, he explained.
The first high-risk group includes those requiring pre-exposure vaccination, such as disease control personnel at international airports, health check units at border stations, as well as medical workers and laboratory staff.
The second group pertains to post-exposure prophylaxis, specifically individuals who have had close contact with mpox patients.
Dr. Thongchai noted that since no businesses have applied for permission to import the mpox vaccine in Thailand, the Disease Control Act allows the department to import medications or vaccines without prior approval from the Food and Drug Administration, in order to effectively combat the disease.
Though the MVA-BN vaccine is a modified version of the smallpox vaccine and may not be 100% effective in preventing infections, it could reduce the severity of the illness, he stated. The best way to remain safe is to avoid close contact with individuals suspected of being infected.
The disease is typically not severe, except for individuals with significantly weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS. All 13 deaths reported in the country have been linked to HIV/AIDS patients.
“We have observed a very low infection rate in the country, with only 833 cases reported from January 2022 to the present, consisting of 812 cases in men and 21 in women,” Dr. Thongchai said.
“Infections are primarily transmitted through very close skin contact over a period of time, and most cases occur among men and sex workers. Therefore, general vaccination for the public is not necessary.”
