The UK has ordered more than 150,000 doses of mpox vaccine to boost its preparedness for the World Health The organization has declared an increase in cases in Africa a global emergency.
No cases of clade Ib mpox, the new strain that spread rapidly in Africa after an initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), have yet been detected in the UK.
However, British health officials said at a briefing on Monday that the order for more vaccine was needed to strengthen the country’s resilience against the virus, formerly known as monkeypox.
They also set out three scenarios illustrating the possible impact of a UK outbreak.
The first involved small clusters of cases, the second a “controllable epidemic” and the third community transmission in hospitals, care homes, prisons and schools. None of the scenarios outlined were projections or predictions, officials said.
“We are preparing for any cases we may see in the UK and vaccination plays an important role in our defence,” said Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser at the UK Health Safety Agency.
“Along with vaccination, we have worked quickly to ensure that clinicians are aware and able to recognize cases immediately, that rapid testing is available, and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of continued transmission .”
Mpox is transmitted through close physical contact. The disease causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, and is usually mild but can kill. Children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of complications.
The vaccine, made by Bavarian Nordic, will be offered in phases to those who are eligible, and based on clinical need, health officials said.
Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men; certain health care workers and specialist health care and humanitarian workers going to affected countries; and close contacts of confirmed mpox cases will be offered vaccines, officials said.
Clade Ib has caused more concern among health officials than clade IIb, which was responsible for a global outbreak of the virus in 2022. Small numbers of cases of clade IIb have been present in the UK for about two years.
A vaccination program was launched in the summer of 2022 and closed in the summer of 2023. About 50,000 people are understood to have had two doses of the jab, which is 80% effective in preventing mpox cases, while more than 83,000 have had one dose.
Steve Russell, NHS England’s director for vaccinations and screening, said that while the risk of getting mpox in the UK is low, vaccination provides “an essential level of protection” for those who are likely to be exposed.
“We encourage those who are eligible to come forward when invited by local health services to ensure they have the best defence,” he added.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was keeping a close eye on the spread of mpox overseas.
He added: “No cases of clade Ib mpox have been detected in the UK, but we are taking steps to ensure the country is prepared with a robust vaccination program that protects those who may be at high risk.”
