People most at risk of contracting monkeypox will receive the first doses of the vaccine as the NSW rollout begins, in what has been described as a “breakthrough moment”.
Key points:
- The state program will start with 5,500 doses for specific groups
- It will be expanded when 30,000 more doses arrive at the end of September
- Health authorities believe cases are likely to rise
NSW Health will from today supply 5,500 doses of the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine to target groups deemed most vulnerable if the virus becomes endemic.
More than 30 cases have now been confirmed in NSW, most of which were picked up overseas.
In July, Australia’s chief medical officer declared the spread of monkeypox a “communicable disease incident of national significance”.
Men who have sex with men are thought to be at the highest risk of contracting monkeypox, which is spread by skin-to-skin contact.
Gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with homeless men, sex workers or with significant drug problems that impair their judgment are among the specific groups receiving the first doses.
Others include those who are HIV positive, immunosuppressed, or undergoing post-exposure prophylaxis for close contacts.
A small number of people who booked travel to the US, UK and North America before 31 October are also eligible.
The rollout will be expanded once another 30,000 doses arrive next month. Authorities have secured 70,000 more vaccines for next year.
Dr Jeremy McAnulty says there is a growing demand for vaccines worldwide. (AAP: Joel Carrett)
NSW Health director of health protection Jeremy McAnulty said the virus was spreading rapidly to other countries.
“Most people are not at risk for monkeypox,” he said. “To be infected, you usually need close skin-to-skin contact.
“And those most at risk are men who have sex with men.
“We are particularly concerned that men who have sex with men are protected.”
Dr McAnulty said the launch was being made because of a global scramble for the next-generation vaccine, which is made by only one company.
Health authorities are also urging people at risk to practice safe sex and limit their sexual partners.
Monkeypox is a disease usually associated with central and western Africa, but since May there have been outbreaks worldwide.
More than 26,000 cases have been reported internationally, most identified in the US and Europe.
In Australia, 58 people have been confirmed to be infected, including 33 in NSW.
Only two of these cases are believed to be locally transmitted and the majority were infected abroad.
Hands showing symptoms of monkeypox virus. (ABC News)
Symptoms usually appear two weeks after exposure and include headache, fever, chills, sore throat, muscle and body aches, fatigue, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
Acting chief executive of HIV support and sexually diverse health service ACON Karen Price said the number of cases in Australia was “very likely to increase”.
Price says getting vaccines to those most at risk is “imperative” to protecting the wider community.
“We recognize that not everyone in our communities who wants a vaccine will be able to get it initially,” he said.
“We are engaged in discussions and would ask people to continue to be patient while NSW health and community organizations work through the distribution of vaccines.”
Australia has secured 450,000 doses, but won’t have them all until 2023. (Reuters: Eduardo Muñoz)
NSW Health is working with GPs and GPs who will identify vulnerable patients and offer them the vaccine.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners rural president Michael Clements says the start of vaccine programs across the country was a “breakthrough moment”.
“Fortunately, we haven’t had many cases in Australia and with the implementation of this vaccine we can limit community transmission and prevent the virus from spreading,” he said.
Dr Clements said he did not want patients to be afraid to seek treatment, saying it was crucial “we don’t stigmatize people who contract this virus”.
“Remember anyone can get monkey pox and it’s not a sexually transmitted disease,” he said.
“This is just a virus and we need to deal with monkey pox without stigma or unhelpful comments.”