Says vaccines are now only for close contacts of persons with virus
21 hrs ago
Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie (file photo)
Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, said despite a "limited number" of Mpox vaccines being in Jamaica, mass vaccination of persons against the illness is not recommended at this time.
Bisasor-McKenzie said for now the vaccine is for persons who have come in contact with people who have been confirmed to have Mpox.
The health official was providing an update at the Ministry of Health and Wellness' press conference on Thursday to update the country on its preparation for the virus.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Mpox, formerly monkeypox, a public health emergency of international concern.
Bisasor-McKenzie said it is not a case like with the COVID-19 vaccine where everyone "runs out to get an Mpox vaccine" so that they can prevent getting the virus.
"Mass vaccination and vaccination... for travel, etcetera, is not recommended," she indicated.
"The vaccine is recommended for persons who are close contacts of persons who have been confirmed to have Mpox.
"So, it is not given to everyone, especially now when the vaccine is in short supply, and countries are being asked that have stocks of vaccine to deploy those vaccines to areas where there is most need, and that's on the African continent," Bisasor-McKenzie explained.
Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, admitted that while there is limited number of Mpox vaccines locally, the intention is to look at the amount available.
This, he said, will "determine what we need to reserve for ourselves, and possibly to offer some of the vaccines that we have to other countries that are (now) affected."
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