Vaccine against monkeypox

[123jaci]

Is there a vaccine against monkeypox available?  As children we had the small pox vaccine, but is that still sufficient after 50 years,  Do we need a booster?  Any waiting period required between the monkeypox vaccine and the COVID vaccine or the singles vaccine?

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question. There is indeed a monkeypox vaccine. Having had the smallpox vaccine puts you in a greater position.  It will still provide 'some' immunity that would likely lesson the illness should you contract it (smallpox is what they have found this data with with the smallpox vaccine). https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/i-was-vaccinated-against/  This study suggests that immunity against smallpox lasts decades past vaccination. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2610468/

Monkeypox is not an airborne illness and there are vaccines already in existence. Most recover from monkeypox without incidence. It has been fatal in some but they are tending to be more vulnerable populations. In the US, they are beginning to release doses of monkeypox vaccine and will begin mass producing.  And of note, the cases in Europe are from male to male in sexual encounters. Face to face contact and bodily fluid are how it appears to be transmitted.

If you feel you are at risk and need a booster or vaccine, talk to your doctor. Right now, availability is limited but would expect that to increase.