Healthcare workers, close contacts of confirmed cases prioritised for mpox vaccine in Singapore

Singapore will prioritise healthcare workers in the distribution of mpox vaccine – JYNNEOS – since they have the highest risk of exposure to the disease as well as close contacts of confirmed cases. It will be offered for free.

This was announced at a press conference today against the backdrop of growing concern about the clade 1 strain, which prompted the World Health Organization to declare mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years.

For healthcare workers such as those working at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), the vaccine will offer additional protection, on top of infection control protocols and wearing protective equipment.

As for close contacts of confirmed mpox cases, the Expert Committee on Immunisation has recommended a single dose of the vaccine within 14 days of exposure. This will be administered while they are in quarantine.

The quarantine period is currently set at 21 days, which is the incubation period observed in Africa.

“The vaccinations are offered voluntarily and both healthcare workers and the close contacts have the discretion to decide whether to take up the offer or not,” said MOH’s director-general of health Kenneth Mak.