Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking in the response to monkeypox outbreak; and how the response compares to the steps taken in the ministerial response to covid-19 outbreak.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is working with the National Health Service and the public health agencies of each nation to prevent the onward transmission of monkeypox virus. The UKHSA has published guidance to raise awareness, advise the public on symptoms and how to access the appropriate treatment options.

On 21 June, the UKHSA published a targeted vaccine strategy which recommends that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men at higher risk of exposure to monkeypox should be offered the smallpox vaccine, Imvanex. Vaccination is also offered to those most likely to be exposed to monkeypox, including healthcare workers and people in close contact with an individual who has monkeypox. Public health incidents, such as COVID-19 and monkeypox, differ and therefore require a bespoke approach. The UKHSA has ensured that the response to the monkeypox virus is effective and proportionate to the scale of the outbreak.