Pakistan contacts WHO, GAVI for mpox vaccine

ISLAMABAD: Following the confirmation of an mpox case last week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the health authorities have requested the World Health Organization (WHO) and GAVI to provide mpox vaccines for healthcare officials involved in screening, managing Intensive Care Units (ICUs), and handling mpox samples in laboratories.

“After the confirmation of Pakistan’s second mpox case last week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we have requested the WHO and GAVI to provide us with mpox vaccine doses to vaccinate our healthcare officials who are screening people at airports. All our mpox cases have originated from abroad. In addition, we want to vaccinate our ICU staff and lab officials dealing with mpox samples,” an official in the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination told The News.

Three types of vaccines are currently available and used in different countries for high-risk groups, but there are no recommendations for mass vaccination campaigns from the WHO or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“In Pakistan, we don’t have these vaccines. However, the WHO and other partners have been approached by the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) for the required doses to vaccinate our frontline workers, who are dealing with suspected mpox cases,” the official added.

Regarding a query, the official mentioned that a person suspected of having mpox, who was under isolation at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), tested negative for the disease.

“So far this year, we have only two confirmed cases of mpox in Pakistan. Last year, we had nine confirmed cases, of which one person with a co-infection of HIV died during treatment at PIMS,” the official informed, adding that all mpox cases in Pakistan originated from abroad, mostly from the Middle East.

On the other hand, renowned infectious disease expert and former special assistant to the prime minister (SAPM) on health Dr. Faisal Sultan stated that currently, two vaccines were available for mpox globally: the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine and a replication-competent smallpox vaccine (ACAM2000), which are only indicated for certain high-risk situations.

Another infectious disease expert from Aga Khan University (AKU), Dr. Faisal Mehmood, noted that no specific drug was currently available for treatment of mpox, but trials of a drug called “Tecovirimat” were underway for treating the viral infection.

Officials from the Ministry of NHS reiterated on Tuesday that the government has tightened screening procedures at all major airports and points of entry, particularly for travelers arriving from regions with high mpox prevalence, such as Africa, the United States, and the Gulf countries. This includes thorough health checks and the isolation of suspected cases.

“Border Health Services has increased surveillance at airports, ports, and land borders. The BHS is responsible for monitoring incoming travelers and ensuring that any potential cases of mpox are detected early,” they said, adding that dedicated laboratories had been allocated across provinces, including the federal capital, to diagnose mpox cases quickly. This preparedness aims to ensure prompt identification and isolation of any confirmed cases, they added. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting a few days ago and directed strict monitoring of the situation with daily assessments by the Ministry of Health. The government is working closely with international health organizations like the WHO to align its response with global best practices, the officials noted.