The world’s only vaccine against monkeypox comes from Martinsried near Munich. The research on him goes back to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
When the employees of Bavarian Nordic started researching a monkeypox vaccine 20 years ago, they had no idea how great the demand for it would be today. A conversation between press spokesman Rolf Sass Sørensen and Bayerischer Rundfunk shows how surprising and unexpected the current development is.
In a 3,300 square meter facility in Martinsried near Munich, around 125 people work on the research, development and production of vaccines for Bavarian Nordic. “The Martinsried site is located in one of the leading European biotechnology regions – the biotech region of Munich, Germany,” says the company’s website. It is headquartered in Denmark.
Monkeypox research emerged as a result of 9/11
The fact that the German-Danish company is working intensively on the development of various smallpox vaccines has something to do with September 11, 2001. After those attacks, the US government at the time feared attacks with biochemical weapons, including smallpox viruses. Therefore, the entire US population should be vaccinated against smallpox viruses – and Bavarian Nordic was commissioned to develop a vaccine.
Although the original plan was never implemented, the employees in Martinsried continued to research different smallpox vaccines, some against monkeypox. The Jynneos vaccine they developed was approved in 2019, making it the only vaccine against monkeypox to date.
Germans under 40 often not vaccinated against smallpox
Older smallpox vaccines can also help against monkeypox. “There are several smallpox vaccines that also offer some protection against monkeypox. The original smallpox vaccine is no longer available, so people under the age of 40 to 50 are usually unvaccinated since smallpox vaccination was introduced in the 70’s was discontinued after the disease was considered eradicated. A smallpox vaccine containing modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) has been approved in the EU. Vaccination is currently being offered to close contacts in the UK,” writes virologist Sandra Ciesek on Twitter.
When asked why everyone is talking about monkeypox, she tweeted: “Since early/mid-May 2022, multiple cases of monkeypox have been detected simultaneously in multiple non-endemic countries. This has not previously been typical of monkeypox. The WHO is currently investigating whether the virus has changed its characteristics (transmission) or if there is an explanation how the virus could come to the different countries in Europe and the USA almost simultaneously.”
Germany secures 40,000 doses of the vaccine
The Jynneos vaccine developed by Bavarian Nordic is to be vaccinated in the USA on people who have had close contact with infected people. According to Federal Health Minister Lauterbach, vaccinations are not planned in Germany for the time being. Nevertheless, Germany has ordered 40,000 doses of vaccine to be prepared.
According to the spokesman for the vaccine company, production at the main site in Hellerup, Denmark, is to be ramped up. In addition, Bavarian Nordic is planning to expand further and also set up stocks in other countries. “We want to help,” says Sørensen.
Sources: ,
Source: Stern
