Monkeypox: Ukraine has a vaccine for risk groups

Ukraine has a vaccine against monkeypox for high-risk groups. In 2024, 1,367 vaccinations were performed. Currently, 820 doses are available for vaccination. This was reported to the journalist of UNN by the press service of the Ministry of Health.

Previously, vaccination against monkeypox was carried out only in countries endemic for this infection, i.e., in Africa. Ukraine has a vaccine for high-risk groups, obtained as part of the international cooperation of the Ministry of Health with the European Commission on Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HERA). In 2023, 6,157 vaccinations against Mpox were carried out in Ukraine. In 2024, 1,367 vaccinations were performed. Currently, 820 doses are available for vaccination

The Ministry of Health noted that, in general, the risk of spreading the disease in Ukraine is low.

In addition, the Ministry of Health said that monkeypox is a smallpox-like disease caused by viruses of the poxvirus family. It is similar to smallpox, but has a lower mortality rate and milder symptoms.

Until 2022, monkeypox was recorded in Central and West Africa, but now more than half of all recorded cases are in South and North America.

The main symptoms of monkeypox include:

• fever,
• headache,
  
• myalgia (muscle pain),
  
• back pain,
  
• enlarged lymph nodes,
  
• chills,
  
•  nasal congestion,
  nasal congestion
• cough,
  
• a rash in the form of blisters.
  

Sometimes people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Some may have only a rash. The disease usually lasts from two to four weeks. The rash in the form of pimples or blisters first appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, chest, and genitals. The rash goes through different stages until it is completely healed

WHO declares monkeypox a global emergency14.08.24, 22:58 • 26020 views

Addendum

The African Union Health Agency has declared a "public health emergency" due to the smallpox epidemic sweeping the continent.

At present, the strong rebound of the disease in Africa is mainly due to a new strain, clade 1b, which is more contagious and dangerous than the previous ones.

A case of monkeypox has been reported in Sweden. This is the first time the disease has been detected outside the African continent.

Mykhailo Rosada, Director General of the Center for Public Health, said that no cases of monkeypox have been reported in Ukraine.