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Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has created panic among the people across the world: What should we do right now? South Africa reported the heavily mutated coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 on November 24, 2021. The first confirmed COVID-19 of the B.1.1.529 variant was found in a sample collected on November 9, 2021. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated this variant as Variant of Concern (VOC) and named as "Omicron." It is the fifth VOC after Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. 1 The Omicron variant has been mutated 50 times and obtained more than 30 variations to the spike protein. 2-4 Most viruses use this spike protein to enter the body's cells, and most vaccines are made to target the spike protein.According to researchers, this new variant Omicron has a "very unusual constellation of mutations." Human antibodies produced by the immune system targets mainly the spike protein to fight a coronavirus infection. Therefore, WHO described Omicron as a "worrying type" of coronavirus due to its heavy mutation and changes in spike protein. 1 Besides, WHO said that we need more time to con-1

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Background and aims: There is a sought for vaccines and antiviral agents as countermeasures for the recent monkeypox outbreak. Here, we aimed to review and discuss the repurposing potentials of smallpox vaccines and drugs in monkeypox outbreaks based on their comparative benefits and risks. Therefore, we conducted this rapid review and discussed the repurposing potentials of smallpox vaccines and drugs in monkeypox infection.Methods: Here, we searched Google Scholar and PubMed for relevant information and data. We found many articles that have suggested the use of smallpox vaccines and antiviral drugs in monkeypox outbreaks according to the study findings. We read the relevant articles to extract information.Results: According to the available documents, we found two replication-competent and one replication-deficient vaccinia vaccines were effective against Orthopoxvirus.However, the healthcare authorities have authorized second-generation live vaccina virus vaccines against Orthopoxvirus in many countries. Smallpox vaccine is almost 85% effective in preventing monkeypox infection as monkeypox virus, variola virus, and vaccinia virus are similar. The United States and Canada have approved a replication-deficient third-generation smallpox vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox infection. However, the widely used second-generation smallpox vaccines contain a live virus and replicate it into the human cell. Therefore, there is a chance to cause virus-induced complications among the vaccinated subjects. In those circumstances, the available Orthopoxvirus inhibitors might be a good choice for treating monkeypox infections as they showed similar efficacy in monkeypox infection in different animal model clinical trials. Also, the combined use of antiviral drugs and vaccinia immune globulin can enhance significant effectiveness in immunocompromised subjects.