Two vaccine doses should be administered 28 days apart to high-risk individuals under the new recommendations.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has announced plans to extend the use of the smallpox vaccine for individuals at high risk of monkeypox infection in Ireland.
This follows recommendations made last week by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) to Interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Breda Smyth, who has endorsed these recommendations.
NIAC 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
In a statement, the Health Minister said that he welcomes the recommendations which “represent an important step” in Ireland’s ongoing response to the monkeypox outbreak.
“Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting illness, and most people recover within a few weeks,” Donnelly stated.
“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.”
The Interim CMO added: “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 strongly encourage those with symptoms of infection to seek medical advice and follow the public health guidance.”
Last weekend, monkeypox was officially declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This is as over 16,000 cases have now been reported from 75 countries.
As of 22 July, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has been notified of 69 confirmed cases of the disease in Ireland.
Main image via Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie
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