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Are we getting left behind on monkeypox vaccine?

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Janelle Ward
1 yr ago

After failing way behind other nations in securing adequate supplies of COVID vaccines, health advocates are urging the federal government to approve and secure supply of a second vaccine for monkeypox as case rise.

There have been more than 40 cases of monkeypox in Australia and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations says the second vaccine is needed before Sydney hosts World Pride.

There are two types of smallpox vaccines that can be used for monkeypox, but only one of them – ACAM2000 – is available in Australia and it can be risky for patients who are immunocompromised, such as those with HIV.

Over the weekend, the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern — the United Nations' highest level of alert.

There are more than 16,000 cases in 75 countries, including more than 40 in Australia.

Are you coincerned about the spread of monkeypox?

2 comments
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Sue Ridge
1 yr ago

We're not overly concerned about the spread of monkeypox for a couple of reasons. Firstly around 40 cases in Australia isn't exactly a pandemic and secondly, it's not an airborne virus and can only be transmitted with intimate contact.

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Couldabeen
1 yr ago

There is absolutely no reason why the average Australian needs to be concerned about the Monkey Pox virus.  It has been shown to be transmitted within a very narrow cohort in the population and they know who they are.

It is entirely up to that demographic to take any precautions that they deem needed.  If that's getting immunized, that's not going to be a  impost on the supplies presently in the country.

Too often the media is complicit with certain elements in Government to drive a health scare that is relevant to a very small portion of the community to the extent that it appears to be all about pouring more money into the pharmaceutical industry.

2 comments



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