New Delhi: After many countries of the world, monkeypox has now entered India as well. So far, 4 cases of monkeypox have been reported in the country, after which the Indian pharmaceutical industry is considering developing a vaccine and medicines for this viral disease. Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactures the corona vaccine In India, said on Tuesday that he is looking at developing Monkeypox's mRNA vaccine in collaboration with global partner Novavax.

Poonawalla also said that he is also considering importing a smallpox vaccine made by the Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smallpox vaccines can also be useful for monkeypox. However, this vaccine should only be given to those who have come in close contact with monkeypox patients, i.e. are at high risk. It was previously reported that the smallpox vaccine is useful for avoiding monkeypox, but data on its effectiveness are limited. At the same time, the WHO said that it is not recommending mass vaccination at this time.  

Let me tell you that India has completely eliminated smallpox. So there is no domestic manufacturer of smallpox vaccine in the country. However, experts claim that the opportunity to manufacture the smallpox vaccine in India cannot emerge strongly unless there is a need for mass vaccination and the government takes such a policy decision.  

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