Bio Farma Prepares Scheme To Bring 3 Monkeypox Vaccine Candidates

JAKARTA - PT Bio Farma (Persero) is preparing a number of procurement schemes for three Monkeypox vaccine candidates to be imported to Indonesia as an effort to prevent monkeypox.

"The first stage that can be done through the Special Access Scheme (SAS) is the procurement of vaccines. Of course, we have established communication with several vaccine manufacturers, but we are still waiting for the direction of the Ministry of Health," said Director of PT Bio Farma, Honesti Basyir, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, 5 September.

The three Monkeypox vaccine candidates in question include the Imvamune Vaccine produced by Bavarian Nordic Denmark. A total of 2,000 doses of which have been imported by the Ministry of Health to Indonesia.

He said the vaccine uses an attenuated virus platform for indications for use of Smallpox, Monkeypox, and Orthopoxvirus in people over 18 years of age.

Imvamune Vaccine administration was simplified from 2 doses to 1 dose considering the limited global supply.

The vaccine has been used in the United States and Canada to prevent Monkeypox. Vaccination is preferred for Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).

The next vaccine candidate is LC16M8 with an attenuated virus platform produced by SVRG Kaketsuken, Japan, to prevent severe symptoms in smallpox patients.

Kaketsuken produces the vaccine only for domestic supplies, with a bulk production capacity of 30 million doses, and will soon be expanded to 80 million doses.

ACAM2000 or Sanofi Pasteur is the last candidate for the Monkeypox vaccine to be imported to Indonesia. The attenuated virus platform vaccine is intended for 1 year of age with 1 dose.

The vaccine cannot be given to people with heart disease and immunosuppression.

According to Honesti, Bio Farma has explored intensive communication with a number of vaccine manufacturing partners, including the Jenner Institute or the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Another vaccine procurement scheme that Bio Farma is also pursuing is the provision of Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine in the country to reduce the risk of infection for adults who have received the vaccine in the smallpox vaccination program before 1980.

Bio Farma is able to provide Varicella Vaccine for ages 1-50 years. The stock of Varicella Vaccine as of August 29, 2022, in storage facilities, totaled 27,458 vials.

"Actually, there is no scientific data that says the Varicella Vaccine is effective against Monkeypox. But at least, this vaccine can reduce the risk of infection for people who have received this vaccine, especially among adults," he said.