Healthcare workers at risk of exposure to mpox may consider receiving mpox vaccine
Primary preventive vaccination (PPV) with mpox vaccine may be considered for healthcare workers at risk of exposure to patients with mpox, based on local risk assessments. This may include workers in primary care, sexual health clinics, hospital staff and others. The risk of transmission should also be minimised by using infection control measures.
Prioritisation for PPV should consider supply. If supply is constrained, at-risk population groups should be prioritised over other groups such as healthcare workers. This approach presumes that adequately trained personnel are available to administer the vaccine.
People who are severely immunocompromised should be prioritised to receive the 2nd dose of mpox vaccine as close to (but not before) 28 days after the 1st dose as possible, as part of the PPV schedule.
The details of dosage and administration are outlined in Vaccines, dosage and administration.
Booster dose
Booster doses
People who have previously received a smallpox vaccine are likely to have some residual protection, however, may benefit from receiving a dose of mpox vaccine.
Previously vaccinated healthcare workers with ongoing risk of occupational exposure may be considered for a booster. Boosters should be given at 10-yearly intervals.