Will the vaccine cure all Monkeypox symptoms?

Nobody thought the end of the world would be this long, expensive, and full of new diseases. After COVID-19 is completely normal to feel certain PTSD when we listen to new epidemics popping. However, experts affirm Monkeypox isn’t like Covid-19, starting with the fact that we already count on a useful vaccine. Apparently, the smallpox vaccine gives good coverage for monkeypox. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Monkeypox has been detected in forty-four U.S. states and territories. Recent data showed 1,814 probable or confirmed cases, however, this number might be an undercount. According to CDC director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky Monkeypox cases will increase in July & August. The three-week incubation process makes symptoms hard to spot early.  

There are two FDA-licensed smallpox vaccines in the U.S. ACAM2000 & JYNNEOSTM. Currently, there’s a limited supply of JYNNEOSTM, hopefully, more doses will be coming in the next weeks and there’s an ample supply of ACAN2000. It looks like we’ll be soon hearing about more cases as well as vaccination news, but how does it work? Will the vaccine cure all the symptoms?

What is Monkeypox?

We’ve definitely heard about this disease, but what is it? Which are their symptoms and why is it different from smallpox? Monkeypox is a viral illness that usually involves flu-like symptoms, as well as a rash that includes bumps. The skin symptoms of this illness can make it look like a sexually transmitted infection such as syphilis or herpes. Infections tend to last from two to four weeks.

Monkeypox can spread in different ways. The virus is usually spread through direct contact with the rash of someone with the virus. Contact with clothing and other infected items, as well as respiratory droplets passed through face-to-face contact are potential ways of spreading the virus. Anyhow, the virus can also be transmitted through meat or products from infected animals. 

According to CDC data, men who have sex with men conform a high number of cases but is this true or only postmodern systematic homophobia. Certainly, anyone who has been in close contact with someone infected with the virus is at risk of contracting monkeypox. But are there risk levels? Can someone presume immunity with the smallpox vaccine? Here’s all you need to know about smallpox vaccination.

Monkeypox vaccination 

As mentioned before, there are two vaccine options for smallpox that can be used to prevent Monkeypox. However, this vaccine should not be used for some health conditions, like weakened immune systems, skin conditions, and pregnancy. Also, no real data is available yet about the effectiveness of the vaccines in this current monkeypox outbreak. But, is there another option yet?

ACAM2000 is administered like a Vaccinia virus preparation that gets inoculated into the skin by pricking the skin surface. Eventually, a lesion will develop at the vaccination spot and this inoculation lesion can be spread to other parts of the body and other people. Consider that individuals vaccinated with ACAM2000 must take precautions to prevent the spread of the vaccine virus.

On the other side, JYNNEOSTM is administered as a non-replicating live virus. A good thing COVID-19 left, is the general medical knowledge we all count on now. So as you might be wondering, yes, one dose is not enough to complete the protocol and each vaccine is different. We can talk about a full vaccination scheme after the second shot of JYNNEOS and four weeks after receiving ACAM2000. 

Nevertheless, we all know viruses act in mysterious ways, so you might want to avoid direct contact with infected people although you’re vaccinated. It looks like there’s not much to do at this moment but to observe how Monkeypox flows and decide if vaccination is an option for you.