PAHO: Monkeypox Vaccines Limited, Case Numbers Rise | Loop Cayman Islands

As cases of monkeypox continue to rise in several countries in the Americas, member states of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held a special meeting of the Board of Directors on August 5, 2022 to consider a resolution to combat the outbreak, including supporting equitable access to vaccines for vulnerable populations in the region.

The Outbreak

According to PAHO, the director of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on July 23, 2022, which began in mid-May and affected 89 countries in all six WHO regions. .

Around 10,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 24 American countries since the outbreak began. This accounts for 36 percent of global cases.

Recommended actions

Regarding the actions recommended in relation to the outbreak, PAHO Director Carissa Etienne said:

The PHEIC statement provided detailed recommendations for both countries and territories that have not detected cases and those that have already imported cases or transferred them to their communities.

We believe that if the recommended measures are properly implemented, we can stop the transmission of the monkeypox virus.

These recommendations, which PAHO is working with member states to implement, include communication and engagement with affected communities, early detection and monitoring, treatment and isolation of patients, and contact tracing.

However, “post-exposure or pre-exposure vaccination may need to complement the other measures,” the director added.

access to the vaccine

During the session, Dr. Etienne pointed out that there is currently only one third-generation monkeypox vaccine made by one manufacturer.

Although supplies of this vaccine are extremely limited, PAHO entered into early negotiations with its manufacturer.

Against this background, the resolution adopted calls on the Director of PAHO to facilitate a coordinated response and take steps to assist Member States in gaining access to this vaccine through PAHO’s revolving fund. It also calls for Region of the Americas countries to continue to recognize PAHO and its Revolving Fund as the strategic regional technical mechanism best suited to ensure equitable access to this and other vaccines.

The recommendations of the PAHO Technical Advisory Group on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) require countries to restrict vaccines for certain groups, such as close contacts, should prioritize a confirmed case of monkeypox to maximize impact given the limited vaccine supply.

More about monkeypox disease

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, and a rash that forms blisters and crusts. The rash is usually concentrated on the face, palms, and soles of the feet. The mouth, genitals, and eyes can also be affected.

Symptoms can be mild or severe and usually last for several weeks during which one person can be contagious to others. Most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.

Monkeypox disease has been reported regularly in nine countries in Central and West Africa since it was first recognized in 1958 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, since mid-May 2022, increasing numbers of cases of monkeypox have been reported, first in several countries in Europe and later in other regions, including the Americas.

As of 4 August 2022, 26,326 probable and laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported to WHO from 89 countries across all six WHO regions.

(Source: PAHO)