Controversy surrounding Mpox vaccine for children: Bavarian Nordic seeks EU authorisation from the age of 12
Source: Heinz Steiner, Report24.news, 18 Aug 2024
The Mpox vaccine from Bavarian Nordic is due to be approved for children and adolescents. In view of the rather low protective effect, the question also arises as to the potential harm-benefit ratio as a result of side effects. However, vaccination propaganda is already gathering pace.
The vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic has announced that it will apply for authorisation in the EU for its Mpox vaccine for children and adolescents aged 12 and over. This has been met with criticism from experts who question the need for such authorisation. According to medical commentator Dr John Campbell, the likelihood of sustained transmission of Mpox in Western countries is “remarkably low”. He emphasises that the disease is mainly transmitted through close physical contact and not through the air. Infection is therefore easy to avoid if basic hygiene measures are observed. This is particularly true because it is a disease that is mainly spread through sexual contact.
Campbell also points out that, according to the CDC, young people generally do not have an increased risk of a severe course of the disease. People with a weakened immune system, infants under one year of age and pregnant women are particularly at risk – but not healthy teenagers. Critics therefore see the application for authorisation primarily as being in the economic interests of the manufacturer. “Of course, this tells us nothing about how much money the manufacturers could earn with the vaccine,” says Campbell. With a large-scale vaccination campaign, the financial incentives would be considerable. The declaration of monkeypox as a “global health emergency” alone caused Bavarian Nordic’s share price to skyrocket.
The effectiveness of the vaccine is also limited. According to Campbell, protection is only around 66 per cent after two doses and only 35 per cent after one dose. Experts are therefore urging caution regarding a possible authorisation for children and adolescents. The actual health risks of Mpox would have to be carefully weighed against potential side effects and financial interests. Based on current knowledge, a broad vaccination campaign for this age group does not appear to be justified.
Meanwhile, Canada (see tweet above) is already practising its tried-and-tested vaccination propaganda. For example, there were 93 cases of monkeypox in Toronto in the first half of 2024, with “70 per cent not fully vaccinated”. Conversely, this also means that 30 per cent of cases received at least two doses of the vaccine – and still fell ill. We already know something similar from the coronavirus era…
