Paediatricians Call for Monkeypox Vaccination for African Children

The Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatricians (AEPap) considers it “essential” to allocate the necessary vaccines to African countries suffering from the health crisis caused by MPOX (formerly monkeypox). They are concerned about the increase in cases among children in several countries on the African continent. “This group is particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune system and increased exposure in environments where close contact is common, such as schools and homes,” they note.

They recall that the new variant has been identified in several African countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, and has begun to spread to other continents, with one case reported in Sweden and another in Thailand. Health authorities are vigilant, although the risk to EU citizens is currently low.

Dr. Maite de Aranzabal, coordinator of the AEPap collaboration group, emphasizes the importance of supporting vaccination in Africa, given the “possible threat of an MPOX epidemic,” “both out of humanitarian duty and the need to stop the spread of the virus.”

Unlike the 2022 outbreak, explains Dr. Cristina Rodriguez from AEPap’s Infectious Pathology Group, these cases affect all age groups, with children being the most affected, as well as regions with a high number of cases among the pediatric population.

He notes that it is the youngest children and those with weakened immune systems (such as those affected by HIV) who are at greatest risk of serious illness and death. The exact incidence of disease in children and adults in these areas is unknown, and “there is uncertainty about the greater transmissibility, severity, or mortality of these new variants.”

The mechanism of transmission of MPOX in humans is from person to person through close contact with skin lesions, body fluids, airborne droplets, contaminated objects, through the placenta, or sexually. In endemic areas, transmission through infected mammals, mainly rodents or primates, is possible.

Initial symptoms include fever, headache, malaise, fatigue, and later a rash with pustules appears on the face and limbs. Symptoms usually last two to four weeks. There is no specific treatment, experts emphasize, although there are vaccines and some antiviral drugs against smallpox that can be administered.

Spain has a “limited number of vaccine containers”, so if there is no change in the evolution of the epidemic, they will be used for contacts at risk after infection. The president of AEPap, Dr. Pedro Gorrotxategui, recalls that the vaccine “is approved for use in adults and adolescents from 18 years of age due to the lack of specific data on its safety and effectiveness in minors. But if necessary, it can be assessed individually and from a public health perspective.”