A research presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Barcelona found worrying mpox vaccination efficacy trends. The study found that even after two doses, mpox vaccination protection declines rapidly in the immune system.

After receiving the smallpox vaccine, the person's antibody levels dropped to nearly zero if they had not received the vaccination. At 28 days following their second smallpox vaccine, less than half of males without prior immunization exhibited mpox antibodies, according to a report from HealthDay.

One of the study's authors, Dr. Klara Sonden, deputy state epidemiologist for the Public Health Agency of Sweden, suggested that a booster dosage might be necessary for long-term mpox protection.

Booster Dosages Trials Needed

Despite the urgent need for more studies, the researchers observed a lack of clinical studies on mpox booster dosages. They stressed the need for such trials in public health guidelines.

After the vaccine's approval in late 2022, mpox infections in Europe rose in the second half of 2023, raising concerns. A case report during the conference described a 35-year-old man who had two Jynneos vaccine doses and developed severe mpox.

Researchers said the man had many sexual partners at a Vienna event in January 2024, two years after taking the mpox vaccination. The patient experienced fever, chills, headache, peeing difficulty, bloody diarrhea, and penis and anus itching five days later. Tests revealed that the patient had active and severe mpox. After 25 days, his scabs fell off and a swab test showed his disease was gone. 

Researchers noted that. previous smallpox vaccine may preserve protective mpox antibody levels.

The largest Swedish sexual health clinic will launch a booster dosage randomized clinical study in response to these findings. Although Sweden has seen few mpox cases, experts advise continuing monitoring and investigation.

These notable mpox findings were presented at a medical convention and should be regarded as preliminary until published in a publication with peer review.

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(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Gabriela Solis prepares a dose of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine at an L.A. County vaccination site in East Los Angeles on August 10, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 

US Health Authorities Assures Enough Mpox Vaccines

In the United States, ABC reported that the number of cases in New York City has tripled since last year. But the city guarantees that vaccination availability is not a problem, according to a NYC Department of Health representative.

In December, the CDC warned medical providers about visitors entering the U.S. from countries with a more severe strain of the mpox virus, primarily the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the U.S. has not detected this strain.

The health official noted that they are "closely monitoring the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo... and taking necessary preparations here in the United States."

In addition to immunization, doctors recommend infection prevention methods.

"Efforts should be made to avoid close physical contact with individuals who may have been exposed recently or exhibit lesions. Seeking medical attention for lesions is crucial, as medications are available to reduce the duration of illness," Dr. Richard Silvera, associate program director of the infectious diseases fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai highlighted.

TPOXX, an antiviral medication, can cure severe instances of mpox, especially those with impaired immune systems.

According to the World Health Organization, numerous endemic locations in non-native nations have recorded cases of mpox since May 2022. Unlike West or Central Africa, where the mpox virus is native, most reported cases with travel histories have connections to Europe and North America. Several mpox cases and clusters have appeared concurrently in non-endemic and endemic nations across drastically diverse geographical regions for the first time.

Most reported instances have been discovered through sexual health services or other primary or secondary healthcare facility services. Males who have sex with males have been at the center of these incidents, the UN health agency noted.

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