The monkeypox vaccine can be given to children to prevent the spread of the disease, according to the government. The NHS has begun rolling out the vaccine to some people in the UK and a number of children have already received the jab.
The NHS has decided to give the vaccine to those who are most likely to come into contact with the virus. This includes certain health workers and gay and bisexual men.
While there is no dedicated vaccine to treat monkeypox, the smallpox (MVA) vaccine has been found to provide a "good level of protection" against monkeypox. It is therefore being rolled out to those eligible.
READ MORE: 'I've had my monkeypox vaccine and it's really important other gay men do too'
The UK Health Security Agency and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommend the use of the MVA vaccine as part of the response to cases of monkeypox. But what is the advice about giving the MVA vaccine to children?
Is the monkeypox vaccine safe for children?
The monkeypox vaccine is safe for children to receive. Monkeypox is more serious in young children than in adults, so the government recommends giving the vaccine to children, including babies.
Children will receive the same MVA vaccine which is used to treat smallpox. This is the best jab for the virus.
The UK Health Security Agency said: "Although there is very little data on the use of the smallpox vaccine in children, the same MVA virus has been widely used for children as part of other vaccines. Several hundred small babies have been given MVA-based vaccines against tuberculosis and malaria.
"The vaccines seem to work very well and have an acceptable safety record, causing very similar side effects to other vaccines. The vaccine has also been given safely to a few children in the UK after contact with a case."
Should I get the monkeypox virus If I'm pregnant?
If you are pregnant you are advised to speak to your doctor before receiving the monkeypox vaccine. The virus itself does not grow in the human body and cannot be spread to an unborn child.
However, monkeypox can be more severe during pregnancy. The virus could also be passed to your baby once they are born.
The UK Health Security Agency said: "Monkeypox may be more severe in pregnancy and you also need to consider the risk of passing the infection to your baby. The doctor should help you to understand the benefits and how this balances against any theoretical risk from the vaccine."
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