There are few treatments or vaccines authorized against monkeypox but officials and experts say those developed for smallpox are likely to be effective.
Most of the South reported above-average rises in Covid-19 infections during the past 14 days, according to a New York Times analysis of Department of Health and Human Services data.
A study conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found vaccines were effective at preventing some of the most debilitating symptoms of long Covid, including lung and blood-clotting disorders.
Pfizer said it would sell its patented medicines and vaccines—including for Covid-19, breast cancer and pneumonia—to low-income countries on a not-for-profit basis.
The U.S. Strategic National Reserve includes 1.7 million doses of tecovirimat—a smallpox treatment that might also be effective against monkeypox, a rare disease that has been diagnosed in dozens of American and European patients in recent weeks.
Sylvie Briand, the WHO’s director for Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness said it isn’t clear whether the monkeypox outbreak is just the “tip of the iceberg” or if transmission has already peaked.
Many of the smallpox vaccines and treatments that the U.S. has in storage could also be effective against monkeypox, according to federal health officials.
Pfizer and BioNTech said they will finish submitting data to the FDA “this week” as they seek authorization for the shots, which aren’t yet available to children under 5.