A pharmaceutical perspective on the potential of monkeypox outbreak to tackle future pandemics

Document Type : Opinion

Authors

1 Pharmaceutical Science Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

3 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

4 Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Abstract

Pandemics have devastating effects on human societies, leading to wreak havoc on economies and disrupting global education and health systems, slowing down sustainable development. Nevertheless, they may provide an opportunity to test ideas and technologies such as novel vaccine platforms and routes of administration in real-world scenarios. This comment highlights the role of the emerging outbreak of monkeypox (mpox) in the development of mucosal vaccines from previously approved platforms. A priority goal for next-generation mpox vaccines is to prevent transmission of the virus via the mucosal membranes, while improving protection against symptomatic disease. A robust immune response in the mucosal membranes can prevent infection, virus shedding and transmission. Since mucosal vaccines provide the opportunity to use non-invasive needle-free administration, their application is easier in low-income countries with weak health infrastructure. Additionally, compliance with mucosal vaccines is much higher in children. These vaccines require neither health workers for injection nor aseptic medium during administration. Moreover, mucosal vaccines are associated with reduced psychological stress and hesitancy compared with parenteral routes. This highlights the role of these vaccines in future pandemics, particularly for mass vaccinations.

Highlights

Samira Hossaini Alhashemi (Google Scholar)

Ali Dehshahri(Google Scholar)

Keywords

References

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Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies
Volume 11, Issue 4 - Serial Number 44
December 2025
Pages 287-92

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