GPs likely to encounter patients with monkeypox may be able to receive smallpox vaccine for pre-exposure prophylaxis, states new ATAGI clinical guidance.   

Other groups eligible for the live-attenuated vaccine, ACAM2000, include doctors working in sexual health clinics, hospital staff and laboratory workers, as well as anyone at high risk of severe outcomes from the disease.  

The federal Department of Health on Friday released a suite of resources for health professionals responding to the Australian monkeypox outbreak, which stands at 10 cases. 

ACAM2000 is the only smallpox vaccine in Australia and is supplied from the National Medical Stockpile, whereas countries like the US and the UK have been able to access the third-generation non-replicating modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) virus vaccine.