Intradermal JYNNEOS Vaccine: A Promising Approach for Monkeypox Protection in People Living with HIV

The Threat of Monkeypox for HIV-Infected Individuals

Monkeypox, a zoonotic virus, poses a significant challenge for individuals living with HIV. This virus, which can spread through direct contact and respiratory routes, can have severe consequences for HIV-infected persons due to their compromised immune systems. Consequently, finding an effective method of protection against monkeypox for this vulnerable group is of vital importance.

Antigenic Relatedness: Smallpox Vaccine for Monkeypox Protection

In their search for a solution, researchers have turned to the smallpox vaccine due to the antigenic relatedness between the two viruses. The smallpox vaccine has been found to protect eight out of ten people from monkeypox infection. However, the challenge of finding an effective method of administration remained, especially for individuals with HIV whose immune systems may not respond as robustly to the vaccine.

Breakthrough with JYNNEOS Vaccine

In a recent breakthrough, researchers have found that intradermal vaccination with the JYNNEOS vaccine is the best option to protect people living with HIV from contracting the monkeypox virus. This route of vaccine administration requires less material, meaning that the available vaccine doses can be extended by a factor of five. This is a significant development, as it means that more people can be protected with the same amount of vaccine.

Specifics for Individuals with Low CD4 T Cell Levels

For individuals with a low level of CD4 T cells, a booster dose is required 28 days after the first dose. CD4 T cells are a type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in the immune response, and in people with HIV, the number of these cells can be significantly reduced. This booster dose helps to ensure that these individuals have a strong enough immune response to the vaccine to provide effective protection against monkeypox.

Effective T-Cell Response with Intradermal JYNNEOS Vaccine

The study also indicated that the T-cell response of HIV-1-infected individuals who received the JYNNEOS vaccine intradermally was more effective in activating specific antiviral immunity compared to those who received the vaccine subcutaneously. This finding underscores the importance of specific studies on the immune response among people with HIV, especially those with lower CD4 white blood cells.

Reducing Monkeypox Cases with JYNNEOS and High-Risk Group Awareness

Further studies have found that the combination of JYNNEOS vaccine for monkeypox vaccination and high-risk group awareness resulted in a significant reduction of 64% in reported monkeypox cases and infections by the end of 2022. This highlights the potential for this approach to successfully manage and control monkeypox outbreaks.

Practical Considerations for Healthcare Providers

For healthcare providers, there are several important considerations when administering the JYNNEOS vaccine. Not only is the dosing schedule important, but potential side effects must also be taken into account. Moreover, understanding the acceptance of the monkeypox vaccine among healthcare workers is key to successful implementation of vaccination strategies.

Conclusion

Overall, the JYNNEOS vaccine intradermally administered promises to be a game-changer in the fight against monkeypox for people living with HIV. By exploring different routes of administration and understanding the unique needs of this vulnerable group, we can make significant progress in protecting them from this dangerous virus.