Do I need to get a monkeypox vaccine?What you need to know

Before getting vaccinated, let’s take a quick look at the disease.

“Monkeypox causes a characteristic rash, along with systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches. [aches and pains]” Dr. Mileya Wessoloski, Infectious Disease Specialist and Associate Professor at the UMass Memorial Medical Center. “Skin rashes usually begin within 1 to 4 days after fever and last for 2 to 3 weeks. Cases of fever-free rashes [also] It was reported. “

COVID-19 has caused many deaths, but Labus states that “fortunately, monkeypox deaths are extremely rare.” The CDC says People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have weakened immunity, have a history of eczema, or are under the age of 8 are at increased risk of serious illness.

Who can catch monkeypox?

Anyone can get sick. There are many cases among men who have sex with men, but “it does not mean that it has not spread to other populations,” Labus said.

Due to the lack of dose and the low risk of exposure, only some individuals are currently being vaccinated. It explains that it is “what was considered” high risk “by the CDC and other health authorities.” Dr. Martin HirschEditor of Wolters Kluwer’s up to dateProfessor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Harvard University School of Public Health, Senior Doctor of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

According to Hirsch, people classified as high-risk include:

• People who are likely to have been exposed by sexual encounters with people who have had monkeypox in the last 14 days.
• People who have had multiple sexual encounters in the last 14 days in an area with monkeypox activity.
• Healthcare workers who have taken care of persons with suspected or proven monkeypox, are likely to be associated with aerosols, and have been exposed to procedures without wearing N95 masks or eye protection.

According to Labus, people at high risk for work, such as those in clinical laboratories conducting monkeypox tests, should also be vaccinated.

If you think you are eligible for vaccination, please contact your major healthcare provider.

“Vaccine availability and eligibility depends heavily on where you live and guidance from your local health department, taking into account your individual circumstances,” he explains. Matt WeissenbachDrPH, Senior Clinical Director of Wolters Kluwer Health.

Qualified persons will be informed of the next steps and where they can be vaccinated locally.

What to do if you are not qualified

If you are not vaccinated against monkeypox, there are other ways to protect yourself from infection.

For example, “avoid close skin-to-skin contact with a person with a rash like monkeypox,” Weissenbach said. If you know a person suffering from monkeypox, do not handle or touch that person’s clothing, bedding, or towels, he adds.

Hirsch is also familiar with the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, especially as “the incubation period can be up to 2 weeks”, so it is advisable to pay attention to them.

Remember to use a hand sanitizer (minimum 70% alcohol content) while on the go. Also, wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

There are two types of vaccinations currently offered. Each works differently to protect against viruses and has its own side effects.

The Jynneos Vaccines are the “favorable type” and “does not contain replicative viruses,” Hirsch said. Potential side effects of this vaccination include “local reactions (swelling, redness, pain) at the injection site or allergic reactions in certain people,” he continues.

“People who are severely allergic to any of the components of the Jynneos vaccine (gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, egg protein) [it]”Wes solossky adds.

on the other hand, MVA vaccine Because it contains a replicative virus, it can cause more serious side effects. “In addition to the above reaction [the MVA vaccine] It can cause serious illness in people with immune deficiencies, pregnancy, certain heart diseases, and skin diseases such as eczema and atopic dermatitis, “Hirsch said.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are worried about the vaccinations you are receiving or any possible side effects.

The CDC is currently closely monitoring the situation and posting updates on a regular basis. Website.. Although the numbers continue to grow, “the good news is that monkeypox is a self-limited disease and not as contagious as other viruses,” Weissenbach said.

Food and Drug Administration publication About 1 million vaccinations will be given from Denmark soon.

Although it is not possible to state exactly when the current series of infections will end, “monkeypox outbreaks observed in non-epidemic countries should be contained relatively quickly, especially if appropriate mitigation measures are in place. That’s what Weissenbach says.