Date issued: 6 June 2024
Issued by: Dr Clare Looker, Chief Health Officer
Issued to: Health professionals and the Victorian community
Key messages
- There have now been 24 confirmed cases of mpox in Victoria since 18 April 2024. Twenty-one of these cases were locally acquired.
- Mpox continues to spread in many countries. In Victoria, there is an ongoing risk of local transmission and transmission linked to international travel remains.
- People with symptoms of mpox should seek medical care and testing.
- Vaccination reduces the risk of transmission and disease severity. Two doses of mpox vaccine are required for optimal protection. If you have not had a second dose, get it now.
- Eligibility criteria for free mpox vaccination have been updated. Primary prevention vaccination (PPV) and post-exposure preventative vaccination (PEPV) eligibility criteria have now been expanded to include additional at-risk groups.
- Free mpox vaccine is widely available for eligible people through sexual health clinics, hospitals, general practitioners, Aboriginal health services, councils and pharmacies.
- Clinicians should offer mpox vaccination to all eligible people at risk of infection.
- Clinicians should test for mpox in all patients presenting with compatible symptoms, in particular those presenting with a genital rash, lesions, or proctitis.
- Cases of mpox can occur in fully vaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals, and clinicians should be alert to the possibility of atypical or attenuated presentations.
- Any suspected or confirmed mpox case must be urgently notified to the Department of Health on 1300 651 160.
- Read the full alert: Changes to mpox vaccine eligibility criteria
