SINGAPORE - Vaccinations against mpox clade I will be given to healthcare workers who are at highest risk of exposure to mpox as well as 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 the 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, the live, non-replicating vaccine, has been used in Singapore for protection against mpox and smallpox, and will be offered for 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 will continue to monitor the situation 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 added: “Never fall into the trap of fighting the last war.”

Whatever was used to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, he pointed out, should not be repeated to handle mpox clade I, should it come into Singapore.

While the mpox clade I virus appears to be more infectious, it is far less transmissible compared to respiratory viruses such as Influenza or Covid-19, hence, Mr Ong said there is also need to vaccinate everyone.

Based on current evidence that mpox is spread mainly through close physical contact, MOH has notified all medical practitioners and healthcare institutions to be vigilant in detecting and reporting all mpox cases to MOH immediately, including and especially suspected clade I infections. Suspect cases will be transferred to hospitals for further assessment and treatment, if necessary.

The disease, formerly known as monkeypox, can spread through close contact. Usually mild, it is fatal in rare cases. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled l...