RACGP welcomes monkeypox vaccine announcement

Royal Australian College of GPs

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed Australia securing a new third-generation monkeypox virus vaccine to help keep patients across the nation safe.

The federal Government has secured 450,000 doses of the monkeypox virus vaccine by Bavarian Nordic. The first delivery of approximately 22,000 doses will arrive in Australia later this week with the remainder to arrive later this year and into 2023.

RACGP Rural Chair Dr Michael Clements welcomed the news.

“This is a breakthrough moment in the fight against the monkeypox virus,” he said.

“Fortunately, we have not had many cases in Australia and by rolling out this vaccine we can limit community transmission and stop the virus taking hold. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation or ATAGI has recommended key groups to be vaccinated. The states and territories will receive the vaccine and be responsible for managing the rollout within their jurisdictions and that includes prioritising access to the initial doses based on who is at greatest risk of exposure or severe illness and their local context. So, stay tuned for

/Public Release.