World unveils initial low-impact 'recombinant' anthrax immunization, pioneered in South Korea.
South Korea has made a significant stride in public health with the development of a new recombinant protein-based anthrax vaccine named "Barythrax." The vaccine, developed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in April and marks the first of its kind in the world.
According to Kim Gab-jung, Director General of the Disease Diagnosis and Analysis Department at KDCA, the "Barythrax" vaccine will make a significant contribution to public health. The vaccine's development is noteworthy due to its reported fewer side effects compared to other anthrax vaccines.
Unlike other anthrax vaccines, the "Barythrax" vaccine uses only a small portion of the disease-causing microbe, eliminating the risk of exposure to anthrax bacteria toxins. This innovative approach leads to fewer side effects, making the vaccine more accessible and appealing.
However, it's essential to clarify that the "Barythrax" vaccine is not known to be effective against the mpox virus. The search results mention various vaccines, including recombinant protein-based vaccines like SKYCovione for COVID-19 developed in South Korea, but no connection is made to mpox (monkeypox) virus protection or cross-protection by an anthrax vaccine.
Indeed, separate vaccine development efforts are ongoing for mpox, such as TNX-801 by Tonix Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with KEMRI, which targets both mpox and smallpox. This underscores the importance of dedicated research for each virus rather than relying on anthrax vaccines for protection against mpox.
As for the distribution and availability of the "Barythrax" vaccine, no information was provided in the article. The news about the "Barythrax" vaccine was reported by Yonhap News Agency.
It's worth noting that there have been no reported cases of anthrax in South Korea since the year 2000, making the need for an effective vaccine less immediate but still crucial for global health security. The "Barythrax" vaccine holds promise as a significant step forward in the fight against anthrax worldwide.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed interest in the "Barythrax" vaccine's potential to boost Turkey's medical-conditions and health-and-wellness sector, considering its fewer side effects and innovative approach compared to other anthrax vaccines. The Health Ministry of Turkey is encouraged to explore collaboration opportunities with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) for the possible acquisition and implementation of the "Barythrax" vaccine in Turkey.
