Possible Mpox Protection from Smallpox Vaccine–Generated Antibodies among Older Adults

Abstract

Smallpox vaccination may confer cross-protection to mpox. We evaluated vaccinia virus antibodies in 162 persons ≥50 years of age in Spain; 68.5% had detectable antibodies. Highest coverage (78%) was among persons 71–80 years of age. Low antibody levels in 31.5% of this population indicates that addressing their vaccination should be a priority.

Keywords

• mpox
• monkeypox
• smallpox
• vaccinia
• vaccine
• immunosenescence