The World Health Organisation said that it does not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox. This comes as more than 18,000 cases have been reported from 78 countries.
“WHO recommends targeted vaccination for those exposed to someone with monkeypox, and for those at high risk of exposure, including health workers, some lab workers, and those with multiple sexual partners. At this time, we do not recommend mass vaccination against monkeypox,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.
This comes days after the world health body declared monkeypox a global health emergency.
On Wednesday, WHO said, “More than 18 thousand cases of monkeypox have now been reported to WHO from 78 countries, with more than 70 per cent of cases reported from the European region, and 25 per cent from the region of the Americas.”
The world health body added that so far, five deaths have been reported, and about 10 per cent of cases are admitted to hospital to manage the pain caused by the disease.
“This is an outbreak that can be stopped, if countries, communities and individuals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups,” Dr Tedros said.
ON VACCINES AGAINST MONKEYPOX
Talking about vaccines against monkeypox, the WHO chief said, “One smallpox vaccine, called MVA-BN, has been approved in Canada, the European Union and the US for use against monkeypox. Two other vaccines, LC16 and ACAM2000, are also being considered for use against monkeypox.”
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However, Dr Tedros said that there is still lack of data on the effectiveness of vaccines for monkeypox, or how many doses might be needed.
“That’s why we urge all countries that are using vaccines to collect and share critical data on their effectiveness,” Dr Tedros said.
WHO noted that several countries with monkeypox cases have secured supplies of the MVA-BN vaccine, adding that the global health body is in contact with other countries to understand their supply needs.
“We must ensure equitable access to vaccines for all individuals and communities affected by monkeypox, in all countries, in all regions,” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
The WHO chief added that while vaccines will be an important tool, surveillance, diagnosis and risk reduction remain central to preventing transmission and stopping this outbreak.
STIGMA, DISCRIMINATION CAN BE DANGEROUS: WHO
Amid reports that the maximum cases have been reported among men who have sex with men, WHO said, “Stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus, and can fuel the outbreak.”
“As we have seen with Covid-19, misinformation and disinformation can spread rapidly online, so we call on social media platforms, tech companies and news organizations to work with us to prevent and counter harmful information,” WHO said.
The world health body further said that although 98 per cent of cases so far are among men who have sex with men, anyone exposed can get monkeypox. WHO recommended that countries should take action to reduce the risk of transmission to other vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and those who are immunosuppressed.
“The best way to do that is to reduce the risk of exposure. That means making safe choices for yourself and others,” WHO said, adding, “For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners, and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up if needed.”
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