Monkeypox | Experts recommend high-risk groups such as gays and lesbians to be vaccinated first

The first imported case of monkeypox was found in Hong Kong. The Scientific Committee on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Infectious Diseases of Animals under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health held an online meeting yesterday (15th) to discuss the issue of monkeypox vaccine. Gay, bisexual, and other MSM with a history of sexually transmitted infections or sexually transmitted infections in the past 12 months are listed as those at high risk of exposure and are the highest-priority target group for voluntary monkeypox vaccination.

The target group for the vaccination includes sex workers, people who have participated in group sex or people who have multiple sexual partners, and medical staff who are responsible for caring for patients diagnosed with monkeypox.

▼The patient of the first imported monkeypox case on September 6 stayed in a hotel in Sai Ying Pun▼

+4

List gay, bisexual, and MSM as the highest-priority vaccination group

After reviewing the latest epidemiological situation of monkeypox, the latest scientific evidence, the recommendations of the World Health Organization and overseas health authorities and the local situation, the experts of the Joint Scientific Committee met yesterday. For MSM with multiple sexual partners, experts believe that case tracing for this group of people to identify and contact related individuals and arrange post-exposure vaccination is quite difficult.

Therefore, experts recommend that those at high risk of exposure should be listed as the highest priority target group for voluntary monkeypox vaccination before exposure, including but not limited to homosexuals who have high-risk sexual behavior or have a history of sexually transmitted infections in the past 12 months , bisexual and other MSM.

Other target groups for pre-exposure vaccination (in descending order) may include:

1. Other high-risk groups in the community, such as sex workers, people who have participated in group sex, or people who have multiple sexual partners

2. Health care workers caring for patients diagnosed with monkeypox

3. Laboratory personnel handling zoonotic pox viruses

4. Personnel who perform disinfection work for the environment contaminated by the confirmed person (depending on individual circumstances)

5. Personnel who take care of animals with a higher risk of exposure when monkeypox cases occur in animals in Hong Kong

Monkeypox vaccine: Monkeypox vaccines are shown at the Salt Lake County Health Department Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Experts also stressed that vaccination should be voluntary rather than mandatory.

As for the vaccination method, it is recommended that adults should be vaccinated with the third-generation vaccine at this stage; if people under the age of 18 have a history of high-risk exposure, after careful assessment of the risks and benefits, they may consider arranging post-exposure vaccination for emergency use.

The Joint Scientific Committee believes that if the local vaccine supply is tight, immunocompetent adults can be arranged to receive one-fifth of the dose of the third-generation modified vaccinia strain vaccine by intradermal injection as a dose alternative and an antigen-saving measure.

▼Zhang Zhujun sent a letter to private doctors in May this year with the title "Beware of Monkeypox"▼

Monkeypox｜Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Center opened on Tuesday as a quarantine facility for close contacts with 100 beds of monkeypox｜HKUST research proves that both smallpox vaccines have strong immune responses to monkeypox Vaccines will arrive in Hong Kong in September with monkeypox | He Bailiang expects high-risk people or enters the community to advocate MSM to be vaccinated against monkeypox | High-risk activities involving unsafe sex can be passed on to two experts: not only men who have sex with men