What is ring vaccination? India may opt for ‘ring vaccination’ to combat monkeypox
India plans to devise a strategy to combat the monkeypox virus. Instead of mass vaccinations, the government plans to develop a strategy in which people who have close contact with infected patients and healthcare personnel will be immunised. Let’s find out more about it.
What is Ring Vaccination?
Ring vaccination is a type of vaccine strategy. This strategy is used to prevent disease spread by immunising those who are most likely to become infected. This strategy vaccinates confirmed patients’ contacts as well as people in close contact with those contacts. This way, everyone who has been or could have been exposed to a patient receives the vaccine, forming a “ring” of protection that can limit pathogen spread.
Monkeypox In India
So far, India has reported nine confirmed cases of monkeypox, and the Union government believes that vaccinating the general population is not necessary at this time. The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Institute of Virology in Pune isolated the monkeypox strain and invited pharmaceutical companies to investigate vaccine and diagnostic kit development options.
Ring Vaccination For Monkeypox In India
Given that the vaccine is not intended for widespread use, the ICMR wants private companies to decide whether or not to manufacture it, according to the official. To be on the safe side, the official added, “the Union Health and Welfare Ministry may buy some vaccinations that are currently accessible, but will not release any directions for mass immunisation.”
The official said, “Monkeypox requires symptomatic treatment and the World Health Organization has not authorised any drug for the treatment of monkeypox. It’s a self-limiting disease that does not require any specific treatment.”
However, the US FDA has approved only one drug for the treatment, Tecovirimat, which is not approved by Indian regulatory authorities. Liked this post? Don’t forget to check out our other short stories in our Quick Read section.