Following the announcement of Africa CDC and WHO, SAVIMS expressed serious concerns regarding the proposed emergency rollout of vaccines for mpox in Africa.
On Aug. 13, Africa CDC Director-General Hean Kaseya revealed plans to distribute over 10 million doses of mpox vaccines across Africa, starting with three million doses in 2024. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a similar announcement the following day, emphasizing the urgency of the vaccination effort.
However, SAVIMS has questioned the safety and efficacy of this plan, pointing out that there is no vaccine specifically proven to be effective against mpox.
The currently recommended vaccines, Jynneos and ACAM2000, are originally developed for smallpox and their use for mpox remains experimental. SAVIMS notes that these vaccines have been linked to serious side effects and contain live virus strains, which could potentially trigger a resurgence of smallpox – a disease that has been eradicated globally.
SAVIMS has also raised concerns about the potential use of mRNA vaccines for mpox, stating that there is no scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in preventing or mitigating infectious diseases. According to the group, that the adverse reactions reported with experimental mRNA vaccines significantly outweigh any potential benefits.
The group also highlights the importance of informed consent, a legal and ethical requirement in healthcare. Under current conditions, patients cannot provide true informed consent for the mpox vaccines, as the necessary criteria – adequate information, competency and freedom from coercion – are not met.
Citing a recent study by Allan-Blitz, et al., which classified mpox as a sexually transmitted disease, SAVIMS suggests that prevention efforts should focus on targeted education and clinical care for high-risk groups, rather than a broad vaccination campaign for the general population. The group also calls for an independent audit of the mpox data collected by the WHO from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other African nations.
Understanding mpox and the reasons behind current health crisis
Mpox is a viral illness that leads to skin rashes and sores, including those that can develop in the mouth. In its most serious form, mpox can cause life-threatening complications, such as blood poisoning, brain swelling and even death.
It belongs to a group of diseases known as zoonoses, which are infections that spread from animals to humans. These diseases are a major concern for public health because they have the potential to spark widespread outbreaks.
The mpox virus was first discovered in monkeys kept for research in 1958, and the first human case was identified in the DRC in 1970. The virus is similar to the one that causes smallpox and spreads through direct contact with infected animals, people or contaminated surfaces. It can also be transmitted through prolonged close contact, such as being near or speaking to an infected person, as noted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
An alleged recent surge in mpox cases has led the WHO and the Africa CDC to declare a public health emergency. Outbreaks have been reported in at least 12 countries, with over 17,000 suspected cases and about 500 deaths. The Africa CDC suggests that these numbers are probably underestimated – meaning the actual figures could be much higher.
The last global outbreak in 2022 to 2023 was mostly due to a virus type called “clade 2.” This time, a more severe type called “clade 1” – specifically a strain known as “clade 1b” – has been spreading quickly in the DRC.
This situation is concerning because “clade 1” is associated with more serious health problems and a higher death rate compared to “clade 2.” Additionally, some evidence suggests that “clade 1” might be more contagious among humans.
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