Preventive Monkeypox Vaccination: Give the Vaccine at Risk

It is currently being considered whether additional measures are needed to control the outbreak of monkeypox virus. That’s what Hannah Boss, an infectious disease control doctor from Soa Aids Nederland says. This can be achieved by using vaccination of the most vulnerable groups.

According to Boss, vaccination is often the best strategy for preventing serious illness and the spread of the virus. “But another option is to treat people who have been in contact with ‘monkeypox’ directly with virus inhibitors so they don’t get[serious]disease. This can also be a good and effective strategy,” says the doctor.

In the Netherlands, vaccinations are already given after high-risk contact. “After you have an infection, you can get vaccinated against monkeypox. This is because it takes a long time before symptoms of infection appear,” says virologist Marion Copmans.

Not out of reach yet

The Netherlands has about 100,000 vaccines against the virus. Those on the shelf for possible smallpox outbreaks. But this does not yet provide preventive vaccines against monkeypox virus. This has not yet been the case elsewhere in Europe.

“So far there is an explanation about where people have been infected. GGDs are busy with it and on top of it: Where did they contract the infection?” Koopmans explains. “It’s only when it gets a little out of reach that you should see if you can vaccinate more widely.”