Minister Of Health: Immunity To Mpox Can Be Formed From Smallpox Vaccine

JAKARTA - Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin conveyed that immunity to monkeypox (Mpox) from the Indonesian people could be formed if they had received the smallpox vaccine, although not exactly.

"Why don't we massively ask people to be vaccinated? Because first, almost all Indonesians have been vaccinated against smallpox first, so the immunity is already there even though it's not the same," said Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, September 11.

He confirmed that currently there are two types of monkeypox vaccines from Denmark, Europe, and Japan, to target certain groups because the transmission is very specific.

The Mpox transmission is very specific, similar to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). So the transmission should be much different from COVID-19," said the Minister of Health.

Previously, Minister of Health Budi also stated that the monkeypox vaccine was still targeting certain groups, such as HIV sufferers.

"We give the Mpox vaccine, the Mpox is not contagious, it's just that, it's rare. It's usually to certain groups like HIV. So, what we vaccinate in that group is all, and we will spread the private ones (hospitals) later," said the Minister of Health.

He emphasized that until now the stock of monkeypox vaccines is still safe and urges the public to continue to apply Clean and Healthy Lifestyle (PHBS).

Meanwhile, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) reminded the re-implementation of the discipline of health protocols to prevent monkeypox.

Head of the Preclinical Medical Research Center and BRIN Clinic Harimat Hendrawan explained that the prevention of monkeypox can be pursued by providing smallpox vaccines, using personal protection, and avoiding contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

"In principle, we must re-enforce the discipline of health protocols to prevent the risk of transmission," said Hendrawan.

He explained that treatment is generally supportive, focusing on the management of symptoms and preventing secondary infections. Some antiviral therapies may be used in severe or high-risk cases.