New Delhi A monkeypox vaccine, if and when it is developed, would be primarily aimed at doctors, lab technicians, healthcare workers, and possibly high-risk population groups. Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, National Co-Chair, Indian Council of Medical Research, said in an interview that it will not be for the general population for mass vaccination. Edited excerpt:
Do you think monkeypox is a big concern for India?
Monkeypox is not a major concern for India as only eight cases have been reported so far. ICMR-NIV has reported that our isolated strain is from the A2 cluster (discovered back in West Africa), and not from the rapidly spreading B1 that has been reported from Europe. Yes, it is likely to spread. But this is unlikely to present a challenge to our healthcare system as the risk of hospitalization in Europe has been found to be around 13%. In addition, the case fatality rate is low. However, we will need to be cautious.
What do we know about viruses?
The virus was known to spread through contact with infected wild animals or from the secretions of bushmeat preparations, the most commonly reported mode of transmission from animals to humans in Africa.
However, it appears that human-to-human transmission has become common in Europe and the Americas. More than 75 countries have reported this infection. This infection can be transmitted through direct contact with infected skin wounds and body fluids. Although this virus has been detected in seminal fluid, we do not know whether the virus is replication-competent. Therefore, we do not have strong evidence to say that it is a sexually transmitted infection.
However, significant exposure to such fluids can occur during sexual intimacy. There have also been reports of infection in children and pregnant women.
Successful efforts to control any infectious disease require community solidarity. Stigmatizing a community while the evidence is still ongoing will scuttle efforts to engage communities. This could potentially lead to its silent propagation.
Who will be eligible for the monkeypox vaccine?
Smallpox vaccines are also known to protect against experimentally induced monkeypox infection in animals. However, there is a lack of strong data regarding its efficacy in humans. If the infection is likely to become a major outbreak, one may need to provide it to those at high risk.
However, this vaccine is not meant for mass vaccination. They may include high-risk populations and health workers.
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