The WHO considers that mass vaccination against monkeypox is not necessary

Mass vaccination against monkeypox is not necessary, but the World Health Organization has recommended post-exposure vaccination, Rosamund Lewis, a specialist in this disease from the UN agency, recently assured at a press conference.

In this sense, Lewis reported that the WHO is working with the European Union, one of the most affected regions with 12,000 of the 16,000 reported cases, in the release of vaccines, as well as with other partners to determine a global coordination mechanism to the distribution of vaccines.

However, Hans Kluge, the Organization’s director for Europe, told a separate news conference that vaccines alone are not enough to stop the epidemic and that individuals who are at risk also need to take action.

The current monkeypox outbreak arose in Europe, which is now present in 37 countries in the region that also includes Central Asia. The first countries to notify the cases were the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal. The outbreak is especially focused on men who have sex with men, with a median age of 37.

The current recommendation for people with monkeypox is to isolate themselves and not travel until they recover; in cases of contact, the person should control their temperature and monitor other possible symptoms during the period of 9 to 21 days.

The current figure is about 16,000 confirmed cases worldwide and so far 81 children under the age of 17 have been reported infected.

Microscope image of a skin lesion caused by the monkeypox virus. (Photo: CDC)

infected first

For Lewis, the distribution of the vaccine should be done based on public health needs, country by country and place by place: “Anyone who had been exposed to someone with monkeypox should be vaccinated first.”

Dr. Lewis explained that there are currently some 16.4 million vaccines in stock. She also mentioned that historically, smallpox vaccines had been very effective against monkeypox, but were now more attenuated. In that sense, she recalled that after 1980 no country had administered smallpox vaccines. The countries that produce vaccines are Denmark, Japan and the United States.

“Countries with the capacity to manufacture diagnostic kits, vaccines or drugs for therapies against smallpox and monkeypox should increase the production and availability of medical countermeasures,” said the specialist, adding that countries and manufacturers should collaborate. with WHO to ensure that necessary diagnostics, vaccines, treatments and other supplies are available based on public health needs.

Lewis stressed that they should do so “in solidarity and at reasonable cost to the countries where they are most needed in order to support efforts to stop the spread of monkeypox.”

In addition, he commented that although there have been no studies on the compatibility of COVID-19 and monkeypox vaccines, giving different vaccines at the same time means boosting different parts of the immune system.

Concern about the situation in Brazil

In response to a question from journalists, Dr. Lewis said that the situation in Brazil was worrying, and that the authorities should take into account the international public health emergency alert that the World Health Organization declared on Saturday regarding monkeypox and “act accordingly”.

Monkeypox is, in general, a disease that is not life-threatening in healthy people. The disease is best known in African countries, where it has been observed for decades, and where deaths have been reported occasionally, five so far this year.

However, monkeypox can cause a number of signs and symptoms, including painful sores. Some people who develop severe symptoms may need care in health facilities. Those most at risk of serious illness or complications include pregnant women, children, and people who are immunocompromised.

recommendations

The general manager for Europe said that he had a series of recommendations for different groups of people. Thus, for example, he recommended to health providers:

-Remove all barriers that prevent testing, medical care or vaccination. Any barrier, no matter how big or small, will act to prevent patients from showing up.

-Provide clear information on how to access medical care, giving patients certified medical leave for the duration of the infectious period so that they can isolate themselves as necessary

-Be aware of what to look for. The presentation of cases may be atypical, so one must be alert to the possibility of monkeypox in the evaluation of any patient, in particular, but not only, men who have sex with men, and not only men. patients with a history of travel to areas where monkeypox is known to be spreading

-Eliminate any judgment or stigma in the way of the patient; the lessons of HIV and AIDS must not be forgotten

For people who are currently most at risk, meaning men who have sex with men and especially those with multiple sexual partners, he recommended:

-Be informed: we know how the disease spreads, and also what can be done to protect yourself

-Consider limiting your partners and sexual interactions at this time. It can be a harsh message, but exercising caution can safeguard you and your community at large

-Although vaccination may be available for some people at higher risk of exposure, it is not a silver bullet, and so we ask that you take steps to decrease that risk for now

-If you have or think you have monkeypox, you are infectious, so do everything you can to prevent the spread of the disease. Isolate yourself if you can, don’t have sex while you recover, and don’t attend parties or large gatherings where there is close contact

To health ministries and public health authorities, even in countries that have not yet reported any cases, Kluge recommended:

-Significantly and rapidly increase national capacities for monkeypox surveillance, investigation, diagnosis, and contact tracing to help identify and trace all possible cases. Many cases are likely to go undetected, further fueling the outbreak

-Work with at-risk groups and communities and their leaders – including organizers of community events such as Summer Pride parties – to develop and disseminate critical messages to reduce transmission and encourage uptake of health services

-Don’t waste your precious time and resources. Urgently find ways to address the realities of this outbreak and ensure the response is focused on stopping transmission in the groups and settings where it is occurring or is likely to occur

-Imperative need to collaborate

Finally, he pointed out to governments across Europe and Central Asia that there is a compelling need for inter-regional collaboration, based on political will, to generate the evidence to support and direct the use of monkeypox vaccines and antivirals. populations at higher risk of infection.

“Countries must adhere to the principles of equity, helping to ensure that vaccines and antivirals reach those who need them most, rather than stockpiling supplies and acting on their own, actions that are only detrimental to the public good at large, as we have seen during the response to COVID-19”, he concluded. (Font: UN News)