Fifth Monkeypox Case Linked to Queenstown Winter Pride Festival

With a fifth case of Monkeypox reported in NZ, officials are calling for people who are eligible to get 2 doses of the vaccine.

As per RNZ:

Medsafe today announced provisional approval for the Mpox vaccine, Jynneos.

It has been used in New Zealand since 2023 as a preventative treatment against mpox for those at greatest risk:

• Men who have sex with men (MSM)
• People who have sex with MSM
• Anyone who is a close contact of someone who has been infected with mpox.

Minister of Health Shane Reti said the government was taking immediate action on its response to mpox, including improving access to vaccines.

“Mpox is obviously a global public health concern at present, and while the overall risk in New Zealand remains low, it’s important our country is responding appropriately and has monitoring and resourcing in place,” Dr Reti said.

Associate Minister of Health David Seymour said Medsafe’s provisional approval meant New Zealand joined countries that had approved the use of the vaccine.

“In Australia the use of the vaccine has been allowed under an exemption provision in their medicine regulatory legislation.

“Medsafe says the provisional approval, based on the information provided by Health New Zealand, means the vaccine meets acceptable standards for efficacy, quality and safety when used for groups at risk of mpox.”

Reti said Health New Zealand had “worked closely” with Medsafe and the vaccine-maker to get this approval “over the line”.

“Health NZ is reporting to me daily, and an incident management team has been stood up at national level to coordinate the public health response.

“Management and support of cases, treatment and other operational activities continues to be managed at regional level.”