To the Editor, we would like to share ideas on the publication “Mpox vaccination for men who have sex with men and their differential risk of exposure and infection.”1 Following the post-COVID-19 reopening of society, this study shows the increased threat of monkeypox (mpox) virus exposure to persons at risk, notably men who have sex with men (MSM) and people living with HIV. The research looks at the infection risks and vaccination coverage among MSM vaccinees in Hong Kong. It addresses issues such as shielding significant people and being concerned about stigmatizing signs if afflicted. If sufficient vaccine supplies are available, the data show that a low threshold strategy at immunization locations could effectively protect MSM with varied levels of behavioral risk.
The small sample size and recruiting from specific immunization locations and HIV specialist clinics in Hong Kong are two of the study’s weaknesses. There are 326 MSM vaccinees from vaccination locations in the study, but only 184 MSM vaccinees from HIV specialist clinics. This limited sample size and restricted recruitment may not accurately represent the larger population of MSM and HIV-positive people in Hong Kong or other regions. The findings may not be generalizable to a larger group or accurately reflect the experiences and viewpoints of people who did not seek immunization at these specific locations.
Furthermore, the study focuses on analyzing infection risks and vaccine coverage rather than offering a thorough examination of mpox immunization’s efficiency in preventing illness or lowering transmission. While the paper addresses the perceived success of mpox immunization, no actual data or results relating to vaccine efficacy are provided. More study with bigger and more diverse samples, including people from other situations and geographies, would be required to provide more rigorous and generalizable insights regarding the risks of mpox infection, vaccine coverage, and the efficacy of immunization methods.
Due to the likelihood of a concealed history of coinfection, every suspected coinfection should be handled with extreme caution.2,3 The primary clinical signs and symptoms of monkeypox are extensively described in the literature, but comprehension is just as crucial. It can be challenging to determine whether HIV infections have a monkeypox origin. We both concur that a differential diagnosis ought to take a number of disorders into account. Making a differential diagnosis and determining the infections that are most likely to coexist are both required. A critical problem that should not be overlooked is the diagnostic tool’s accuracy.4
Overall, while this study provides useful insights into MSM vaccinees’ concerns and infection risks in Hong Kong, the small sample size, limited recruiting sites, and lack of complete analysis on vaccine efficacy limit the study’s generalizability and depth. More study with larger and more diverse samples, as well as an emphasis on vaccine effectiveness, would help us better understand the dangers of mpox infection and the impact of vaccination methods.
Funding Statement
The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.
Authors’ contributions
HD 50% ideas, writing, analyzing, approval. vW 50% ideas, supervision, approval
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
References
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