Vaccine Reminder: MPOX Strain Spreads in Europe

Health officials are urging the public to ensure they are vaccinated against the mpox virus as the ‘clade Ib’ strain is spreading in various European countries. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported small numbers of cases in Portugal, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and the US. Most cases have been identified in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. In the UK, there have been 16 clade Ib cases, all in England and unrelated to transmission within the GBMSM community. Dr. Katy Sinka, head of sexually transmitted infections at UKHSA, emphasized the need for vaccination, especially for eligible groups with multiple sexual partners or who engage in high-risk behaviors. The UK has a routine vaccination programme in place for these groups. While the vaccine’s effectiveness against clade Ib is unknown, studies show it is 75-80% effective against clade II. The UKHSA has warned of a high probability of importation of the virus into the UK, but the risk of local transmission remains low to medium due to the existing vaccination programme. Mpox is generally a mild infection, but it can be severe in some cases. Charities are also urging people to get vaccinated before attending Autumn Winter Pride events in Europe to prevent further spread of the virus.