UK Orders 150,000 Mpox Vaccines as New Strain Spreads in Africa

The UK government is bolstering its defenses against a potentially deadlier mpox strain, with no cases detected domestically but preparations underway.

The World Health Organization has declared a global emergency due to a surge in cases of the Clade 1b mpox strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
UK health officials have outlined three potential scenarios for a domestic outbreak, ranging from small clusters to a controllable epidemic.
The vaccine rollout will prioritize high-risk groups, including gay and bisexual men, certain healthcare workers, and close contacts of confirmed cases.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of a robust vaccination program and ongoing monitoring of the virus's spread overseas.
The UK is also supporting international efforts, providing £3 million to help tackle mpox and cholera outbreaks in the DRC.