Occupational vaccination against mpox is indicated for male and transgender sex workers who have sex with men, both to protect themselves and to protect others. However, because this group is already eligible for vaccination through a temporary vaccination programme, occupational vaccination is not necessary at the moment. With this advice, the subcommittee on Occupational Vaccinations endorses the importance of a structural vaccination programme for this target group.
Mpox is caused by the mpox virus and is transmissible through close skin-to-skin contact, mucous membrane contact (including sexual contact) and through direct and indirect wound contact from infected people. In most cases, an mpox infection is mild (itchy, painful rash and bumps and fever), but secondary infections or complications may occur that can increase the duration and severity of the illness.
In the Netherlands, a vaccine against mpox is available. Vaccination is currently offered through the Municipal Health Service (GGD) to men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people who have an increased risk of mpox (such as many different sexual contacts).
Given the transmission routes of the mpox virus, in theory it is mainly sex workers and healthcare workers who are at risk of occupational exposure to the virus and who can pose a risk to the people they come into contact with at work. That risk appears to be especially high for male and transgender sex workers who have sex with men. Occupational vaccination is therefore indicated for this group, but not necessary at the moment because they are already eligible for vaccination. For other professional groups, the committee does not consider occupational vaccination to be indicated. For female sex workers, the chance of exposure to mpox is currently very low. For healthcare workers, the risk of infection is very low provided that protective measures are followed when in contact with mpox patients.