MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will be getting smallpox vaccines from the World Health Organization that can mitigate the threat of mpox in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
According to DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, mpox is related to smallpox, and research shows that smallpox vaccines can also protect against mpox.
“The DOH has signified intent to the World Health Organization (WHO), that once global strategy shifts and distribution of (smallpox) vaccine starts, the Philippines will raise its hand to show that we are ready (to accept it),” Domingo said.
He said that the smallpox vaccine isn’t available in the country yet because most of it is being sent to Africa. However, once it is available, the same storage facilities used for COVID-19 vaccines can be used for it.
The country’s first mpox case this year, confirmed on August 18, involves a 33-year-old Filipino male with no travel history outside the Philippines. This brings the total confirmed mpox cases to 10 since July 2022.
Don’t fear mpox
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa earlier advised Filipinos that mpox could be treated with appropriate medical and self care.
“Mpox is a viral illness that is self-limiting like dengue. You will recover over a period of time. If you are healthy, you will recover without problem,” he said.
The health department advised the public to avoid mpox by keeping their hands sanitized and make the process “as convenient as possible.”
“Keeping our hands clean with soap and water, or with alcohol-based sanitizers will help. DOH will make the testing process as convenient as possible, so that suspect cases may be identified fast and allowed to stay at home,” the health official said.
‘Targeted vaccination over of mass inoculation’
After declaring mpox a public health emergency, the WHO recommended “targeted vaccination” in areas where the virus has been found, rather than mass inoculation.
“It’s not recommended for mass vaccination; that’s very important. It really needs to be targeted vaccination where the virus is transmitting,” WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said, as cited in reports.
