Monkeypox Vaccine for Children: Here's What Every Concerned Parent Should Know

With monkeypox spreading across the country, parents are worried about the virus affecting their children. If there is something that the coronavirus pandemic has taught people, it is that vaccines do prevent and safeguard them from the deadly virus.

Although some are still hesitant about the side effects and the science behind it, a relatively large population of the United States has become inoculated - especially children.

Can Children Be Affected With the Monkeypox Virus?

Yes, children can be infected with the monkeypox virus. Last month, the United States reported that the monkeypox virus infected a toddler and an infant, according to Reuters.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has pointed out that the two cases were unrelated and "probably" a result of household transmission.

CDC Deputy Director Dr. Jennifer McQuiston is not surprised by the emergence of the monkeypox virus in pediatric cases. However, McQuiston suggested it was a rare case considering almost 99% of the record cases were from members of the LGBTQ+ community who had male-to-male sexual contact with multiple partners.

"The social networks that we have as humans mean that we have contact with a lot of different people. And while this outbreak is spreading in a particular social network right now, I think we've messaged from the start that there could be cases that occur outside those networks and that we need to be vigilant for it and ready to respond and message about it," McQuiston said as CNN reported.

However, worried proactive parents must know that monkeypox vaccines are not yet readily available for everyone.

Monkeypox Vaccine for Children

According to KVUE's VERIFY, children are currently not eligible for the monkeypox vaccine as a preventive shot. However, they may be eligible if they have had direct exposure to someone with monkeypox.

Because of the nationwide shortage of monkeypox vaccines, states inoculating the Jynneos and ACAM2000 jabs prioritize the most vulnerable community first - members of the LGBTQ.

However, CDC confirmed that children who are already exposed and infected could be vaccinated if available. Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Infectious Disease Division Director Allison Messina corroborated the current CDC eligibility standards.

"Right now, there's not a big push to provide routine vaccinations for monkeypox for children. Now, that may change if it continues to spread," Messina said.

Because the disease is so far affecting a particular adult group, Messina believes that the current monkeypox vaccine requirements are making sense.

Meanwhile, the entire United States is suffering from the monkeypox vaccine shortage. The New York Times reported that the Department of Health and Human Services failed to secure bulk orders of the monkeypox vaccine.

The federal government is now providing 1.1 million doses of the requested 3.5 million jabs. Reports said the next half a million doses will be delivered in October.

Both New York and California preserve the monkeypox vaccine by inoculating many people with the first dose and delaying those who need the final jab until the new supply arrives. The two states continue to be hotspots for the monkeypox outbreak.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ivan Korrs

WATCH: Children Are Not Eligible for Monkeypox Vaccine Unless They've Been Exposed to Virus - From VERIFY