Both Smallpox and Mpox Vaccine Reduce Mpox Disease Severity and Symptoms

Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2026 Open access

Read full text
Authors: Christian Hoffmann, Sven Breitschwerdt, Markus Bickel, Christina Appelhans, Heiko K. Jessen, Susan Franz, Henning Kolarikal, Ivanka Krznaric, Johannes Lenz, Christoph Schuler, Axel Baumgarten, Timo Schultheiss
+15 more Stefan Eßer, Marc Biller, Luca Daniel Stein, Max Bender, Michael Rausch, Robert Baumann, Ulrike Haars, Irmela Dialer, Pavel Khaykin, Julia Roider, Christoph Wyen, Christoph D. Spinner, Laura Wagner, Guido Schäfer, Christoph Boesecke
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofag201
Cited by: 1
References: 7

Abstract

Abstract Background Data on the impact of completing 2 doses of the modified vaccinia Ankara vaccine and/or smallpox vaccination in childhood on Mpox disease severity remain limited. During the last months of 2024, Germany faced a second Mpox wave, providing the opportunity to study the impact of different vaccine regimens including smallpox vaccination. Methods Retrospective analysis of all cases diagnosed at 17 participating German centers 2022–2024. Cases were grouped according to smallpox vaccine history: “unvaccinated,” “incomplete” (vaccinations only during childhood and/or only one MVA BN), “complete” (2 MVA BN > 1 month prior to Mpox diagnosis). Disease severity was assessed by a 7-item Mpox Severity Scoring System (MPOX-SSS). Results Of 273 Mpox infections, 42% occurred in men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV (median CD4 724 cells/µl, 91%

Fields of Study & Subjects

Poxvirus research and outbreaks Immune responses and vaccinations Virology and Viral Diseases

Publication details

Journal / source
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Volume
13
Issue
4
Pages
ofag201–ofag201
Publication date
30 March 2026
Language
EN