Move to stretch monkeypox vaccine supply via smaller doses

Editor's Note

On Tuesday, August 9, US officials announced they will modify dosing instructions for the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine to stretch the supply, US News & World Report July 10 reports. Currently, there are almost 9,500 known cases in the US, predominantly among gay and bisexual men.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the new vaccine injection will be given just under the skin (intradermally) and at one-fifth the usual dose. Previously, the standard was a subcutaneous injection, entering deep into the tissue. The agency said that this will increase the total number of doses available to Americans by up to five-fold. There is evidence that two smaller doses can still protect against monkeypox.

"In recent weeks, the monkeypox virus has continued to spread at a rate that has made it clear our current vaccine supply will not meet the current demand," Dr Robert Califf, FDA commissioner, said in a statement. "The FDA quickly explored other scientifically appropriate options to facilitate access to the vaccine for all impacted individuals. By increasing the number of available doses, more individuals who want to be vaccinated against monkeypox will now have the opportunity to do so."

The lack of Jynneos vaccine supply from the start of the outbreak has left Americans frustrated, prompting the new modification in dosing from the FDA. The new dosing guidance should stretch the stockpile of around 440,000 full doses into more than 2 million smaller doses.