Travel Vaccine Breaking News

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced today it had detected 18 additional cases of monkeypox in England and one additional patient in Scotland.

This brings the total number confirmed in the UK to 321 as of June 7, 2022.

There are currently 305 confirmed patients in England, 11 in Scotland, 2 in Northern Ireland, and 3 in Wales.

The UKHSA says, 'Anyone can get monkeypox, particularly if you have had close contact, including sexual contact, with an individual with symptoms. However, people who are gay or bisexual and men who have sex with men remain disproportionately affected.'

Wendi Shepherd, monkeypox incident director at UKHSA, commented on June 7, 2022, 'Rapid diagnosis and reporting is the key to interrupting transmission and containing any further spread of monkeypox.'

Globally, 39 countries have confirmed about 1,280 monkeypox cases.

Additional monkeypox news is posted at this link.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported on June 2, 2022, the South American country Brazil continues reporting Chikungunya (CHIKV) cases and related fatalities.

The ECDC confirmed as of June 2, 2022, 113,052 CHIKV cases and 14 fatalities have been reported.

Most cases have been reported by Brazil (92,349), and all deaths have been reported from Brazil (14).

The five countries reporting CHIKV cases in 2022 other than Brazil are India (18,519), Paraguay (278), Malaysia (85), and Guatemala (83).

According to the U.S. CDC, Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes to humans.

Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on viremic nonhuman or human primates, which are likely the main amplifying reservoirs of the virus.

In 2014, CHIKV cases were reported among U.S. travelers returning from affected areas in the Americas.

Local transmission has been identified in Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Currently, The best way to prevent chikungunya is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear, and take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

However, a chikungunya vaccine candidate is conducting a late-stage phase 3 study for use in Brazil.

Valneva SE's VLA1553 is a monovalent, single dose, live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine candidate.

The VLA1553 vaccine program was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. FDA in December 2018.

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Denmark-based Bavarian Nordic A/S announced today that the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) would be purchasing IMVAMUNE® (Jynneos) non-replicating smallpox/monkeypox prevention vaccine at a value of approximately USD 56 million.

Deliveries of vaccines under this five-year contract are expected to occur from 2023. 

Bavarian Nordic continues to secure contracts with other countries, including Denmark.

Monkeypox (MPX) is a vaccine-preventable viral zoonotic disease that occurs historically in Africa.

Since early May 2020, about (36) countries have confirmed 1,070 MPX patients.

Paul Chaplin, President & Chief Executive Officer of Bavarian Nordic, stated in a press release issued on June 7, 2022, "We applaud the Government of Canada for their long-term planning, allowing us to execute this contract in a timely manner."

Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (marketed as IMVANEX® in Europe, JYNNEOS® in the U.S., and IMVAMUNE® in Canada) is a non-replicating smallpox vaccine developed in collaboration with the U.S. government.

Bavarian Nordic has ongoing supply contracts with the U.S. and Canada and has delivered the vaccine to several undisclosed countries as part of their national biological preparedness.

Additional MPX outbreak news is posted at this link.

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GAVI, the vaccine alliance, recently wrote, 'ver the last couple of years, Laos has been subject to heavy rains and subsequent flooding, especially in the Sanamxay district.

As water levels rise, so do fears of cholera, a fast-moving and deadly intestinal infection.

Laos Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and Minister of Health Dr. Bounfeng Phoummalaysith have held meetings to eliminate the disease before it escalates further. A strategy includes mobilizing a donation sent by Gavi of oral cholera vaccines (OCV).

"I have instructed the health ministry to act promptly before the malady devours our people."

"We are urging volunteers, nurses, and those in the health department to step forward and help us make this vaccinating exercise a success," the Prime Minister said at the start of the campaign.

"The ongoing cholera vaccination will ensure children are immune to the otherwise lethal disease."

"Unfortunately, the toughest job has been delivering the vaccines to the people through the impassable roads."

While a few cholera cases continue to crop up, with the help of the OCVs, the disease has been contained relatively well in Laos.

A Gavi-supported emergency OCV stockpile has existed since 2013 so that countries in need can access doses without procurement delays.

Since then, more than 35 million doses have been shipped to cholera hotspots, helping curb the epidemic spread of a disease that still kills an estimated 21,000 to 143,000 people each year worldwide.

The U.S. CDC suggests future visitors to Laos consider several vaccines (yellow fever, hepatitis, influenza) listed on this web page. 

In June 2016, the U.S. FDA approved using a single-dose oral cholera vaccine (CVD 103-HgR, Vaxchora [PaxVax]) in adults.

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Thestreet.com wrote today, 'the oceans have been stormy for major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines having to deal with an uncertain world since the COVID-19 pandemic began in late 2019.'

The pandemic's impact continues as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still controls the requirements for American ports.

The CDC and cruise lines currently operate in partnership under a voluntary program. 

In late March 2022, the CDC stated to check your cruise ship's color and status classification before traveling.

And be aware that the ship's status could change over time and may be different by the time of your cruise.

Furthermore, ensure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before enjoying your next cruise.

If you are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, talk to your healthcare provider about what additional precautions may be needed before, during, and after a cruise trip.

If the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is spreading on board, cruise passengers and crew are at risk, even if they are updated with their COVID-19 vaccines.

Moreover, other vaccinations may be required depending on your ports of call.

According to the CDC, most travel vaccines need to be administered at least one month before departure to ensure maximum protection. 

Check the CDC's Domestic Travel or International Travel webpages for the May 3, 2022, recommendations for travelers.

Additional CDC suggestions are posted on this webpage.

During May 2022, various media reports indicate the global monkeypox outbreak has reached thirty countries, impacting the health of about 696 people.

The unfortunate leader is the United Kingdom.

On June 1, 2022, the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced it had detected 11 additional monkeypox patients in England.

These new cases bring the total number confirmed in England to 183.

In England, 86% of the cases are in London residents and only two were women.

Additionally, there are currently four confirmed cases in Scotland, 2 in Northern Ireland, and 1 in Wales.

This data indicates the U.K.'s total number of monkeypox patients is 190, all reported during May 2022.

Most monkeypox cases have occurred in people aged 20 to 49 years old.

Dr. Ruth Milton, a Senior Medical Advisor at UKHSA, stated in a media update on May 31, 2022, "The risk to the general public from monkeypox is still low, but it's important that we work to limit the virus being passed on."

"We remind people that they should be alert to new spots, ulcers, or blisters on any part of their body."

"If anyone suspects they might have these, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner, they should limit their contact with others and contact their local health provider as soon as possible."

"Though, please phone ahead before attending in person."

Additionally, the UKHSA confirmed health protection teams are contacting people considered high-risk contacts of confirmed cases and advising those who have been risk-assessed and remain well to be isolated at home for up to 21 days.

In late May 2022, the U.K. began offering these close contacts the IMVANEX® monkeypox prevention vaccine.

JYNNEOS® (IMVANEX®, IMVAMUNE® was approved in 2019 by the U.S. FDA and by the European Medicines Agency in 2013.

Other monkeypox outbreak breaking news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.

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Updated at 1 PM CT.

FrontPage Africa recently discovered that the 100-year-old BCG vaccine supply has run out in the country of Liberia. When contacted on May 25, 2022, the Ministry of Health's Communications Director, Felecia Gbesioh, confirmed that the BCG vaccine had run out.

"It (BCG) is actually not in the country, but we expect to have it in the country before the end of May 2022."

"So we have been in a back and forth conversation and engaging our partners, especially UNICEF, because they are responsible for distributing the vaccine," reported FrontPage on May 25, 2022.

"And there is no need to worry because the vaccine is for children from zero to eleven months. In Liberia, BCG vaccination is compulsory, administered with the polio vaccine.

The WHO vaccine scheduler summarizes Liberia's current vaccination schedule for young children, adolescents, and adults.

Liberia battled multiple health emergencies in 2021, such as polio, yellow fever, malaria, and the continued COVID-19 pandemic response.

Responding to polio outbreaks in neighboring countries, Liberia introduced the nOPV2 vaccine in 2021, immunizing about 1.8 million children aged 0–59 months, reported UNICEF on March 9, 2022.

In March 2022, the U.S. CDC issued an Alert Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions, regarding Liberia's polio outbreak.

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