Mpox: treatment and vaccine

In Switzerland as well as in Liechtenstein, there is currently no specific therapy and no specific vaccination. However, affected individuals usually do not require any special treatment either. The fever and pain can be relieved with classic medications.

Treatment

At present, treatment is mainly for the symptoms of the disease. In particularly severe cases, antiviral therapy with Tecovirimat may be given.

This drug is used in certain cases as soon as possible after the disease is diagnosed. It is intended to mitigate the course of the disease or prevent complications. Treating physicians may prescribe the drug if a person has an immune deficiency or is at high risk for severe disease progression.

Vaccine

The smallpox virus and monkeypox virus are genetically similar. Therefore, existing smallpox vaccines can also be used effectively against monkeypox. These first- and second-generation vaccines were administered in Liechtenstein until the late 1970s to eradicate smallpox.

There is now a third-generation smallpox vaccine licensed in Europe and the United States. This vaccine provides good protection against monkeypox (around 85 percent). Now the Principality of Liechtenstein has procured the monkeypox vaccine from Bavarian Nordic. The procurement was done in cooperation with the Pharmacy of the Swiss Armed Forces. The vaccine doses were provided to the cantons as well as the Principality of Liechtenstein according to available quantity and defined priorities.

Information on how to register for the MPX vaccination can be found here.