Is COVID-19 vaccination the cause of the mpox epidemic?

There is no scientific evidence that COVID-19 vaccination is the cause of the MPOX (monkeypox) epidemic. The MPOX outbreak is caused by the MPOX virus, an orthopox virus related to the smallpox virus, and not by the COVID-19 vaccine.

Mpox is spread through direct contact with infected animals, people, or materials contaminated with the virus. This can occur through skin-to-skin contact, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated surfaces.

COVID-19 vaccines, such as mRNA vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna) or vector vaccines (AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson), are designed to induce immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. There is no link between these vaccines and the orthopoxvirus that causes mpox.

Several health authorities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), have shown no link between COVID-19 vaccinations and the emergence or spread of mpox. Such claims often fall under unfounded conspiracy theories.

Recent outbreaks of mpox have been attributed primarily to changing travel patterns, close contact between people in certain communities, and lack of vaccination against smallpox (which also provides some protection against mpox). Vaccination against COVID-19 has had no impact on this.

Source: https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/mpx_global/

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-09-26 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025