Mpox vaccine for those at high risk; virus troublesome but can be managed: Ong

S'pore may have to adjust strategy over time as situation evolves, says Health Minister

- Judith Tan and Zhaki Abdullah

Vaccinations against mpox are being given free to healthcare workers who are at highest risk of exposure to mpox, and the jabs will also be given to close contacts of confirmed cases, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Sept 4.

This is to ensure that the people who need it most will be given protection, he said at a press conference held at the ministry.

Immediate contact tracing will be carried out for close contacts of confirmed clade I cases, and they will be quarantined for 21 days, the incubation period observed in Africa.

Jynneos, a live, non-replicating vaccine, has been used in Singapore for protection against mpox and smallpox, and will be offered free to the two groups of people.

Singapore's current supply of Jynneos is sufficient, based on this vaccination strategy, and the Ministry of Health (MOH) will continue to monitor the situation and adjust its strategy as the mpox situation and vaccine supplies evolve globally, the minister said.

Mr Ong said: "Mpox is a troublesome virus which we can manage."

Recognising that every virus has different characteristics, he said: "Never fall into the trap of fighting the last war."

Singapore may have to adapt its measures over time when the situation evolves and as the world understands the virus better, Mr Ong added. He pointed out that whatever strategies were used to fight the Covid-19 pandemic should not be repeated to handle mpox clade I, should it come into Singapore.