UKHSA is urging eligible groups to come forward for mpox vaccination  

27 October 2025

There have now been small numbers of locally-acquired cases of clade Ib mpox in countries with strong travel links to the UK. This includes the USA, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal. UKHSA has today published a technical assessment on mpox to reflect the latest epidemiology.
 
On Friday ECDC also published a threat assessment brief detailing early indication of changes in the epidemiological situation of mpox clade Ib indicating there is now community transmission of clade Ib mpox globally.
 
Most of the new cases identified in Europe and the USA have been in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, a population in which clade Ib mpox transmission has not previously been observed. 
 
UKHSA has today issued a statement urging those eligible to come forward for vaccination.
 
Their statement (here) sets out that mpox is usually a mild infection, and clade Ia and Ib mpox are no longer classified as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID). However, it can be severe in some cases.
 
Professor Matt Phillips, President of BASHH, said: “We encourage anyone who is eligible for the vaccine against mpox to talk to their local sexual health clinic and arrange to be vaccinated. 
 
These cases are a reminder both that mpox has not gone away, and of the importance of vaccine programmes in reducing the impact of mpox infection.”
 
BASHH is working closely with UKSA to monitor the situation and support the ongoing response for which the expertise and skills in our GUM workforce are critical. We are also working with partners in community organisations such as the LoveTank and THT to support strong and effective public health and patient communications.

See LoveTank communication on this update here.
See THT communication on this update here.