IRELAND: The use of the smallpox vaccine is set to be extended for people who are at high risk of monkeypox infection in Ireland, the Minister for Health has confirmed.
Stephen Donnelly said the move represented an “important step” in the ongoing response to the monkeypox outbreak.
He added it would be offered to gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men and other people at high risk of unprotected exposure.
It follows suggestions made last week to the interim chief medical officer (CMO) by the National Immunization Advisory Committee (Niac), who approved them.
Minister for Health announces NIAC and ICMO recommendations on monkeypox vaccination CLICK HERE TO MORE DETAILS.
NIAC has recommended that "pre-exposure prophylactic vaccination should be offered to those at high risk of infection e.g., gay, bisexual, men who have sex with men (gbMSM) and others at high risk of unprotected exposure.
"Two doses of smallpox vaccine should be administered 28 days apart to as many high-risk individuals as soon as practicable.," they said.
Minister Donnelly added: “I welcome these recommendations which represent an important step in our ongoing response to the monkeypox outbreak and help protect those at high risk of exposure to monkeypox."
“Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting illness, and most people recover within a few weeks, however the rapid spread of infection necessitates further measures beyond those currently in place. The evidence suggests this approach to targeted pre-exposure prophylaxis may be highly efficient in controlling further spread of the disease.
“The Department of Health and the HSE will now work to implement these new recommendations in relation to vaccination.”
Interim CMO, Professor Breda Smyth said: “These recommendations reflect a strengthening of measures to control disease transmission and ensures that our response to this evolving situation is informed by the best available evidence.
"I firmly advise anyone who exhibit infection symptoms to seek medical attention and heed public health recommendations."
At the end of May, monkeypox was officially confirmed for the first time in Ireland.
As of July 22nd, there have been a total of 69 confirmed cases of the infection.
The World Health Organization declared a global emergency over the monkeypox outbreak that has spread to more than 70 nations on Saturday.
Smallpox and monkeypox are related, and cases of the latter are typically found in west and central Africa, seldom spreading to other parts of the world.
The condition, which was initially identified in monkeys, is often minor but can occasionally result in severe illness.
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