Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to vaccinate higher risk members of the armed forces against monkeypox.

NHS England are responsible for the UK supply of the smallpox vaccine Modified Vaccinia Ankara (commercially known as Imvanex), which is being offered to people who are most at risk from monkeypox.

While the Ministry of Defence does not currently have direct access to the vaccine, at risk Armed Forces personnel can access it free of charge in NHS vaccine hubs and sexual health clinics. Some sexual health services are contacting those individuals likely to be at highest risk to offer vaccination.

In line with UK Health Security Agency guidance, the vaccine is not currently being offered to healthcare staff, including Defence Medical Services personnel, who work in non-specialist wards, clinics or frontline services. The risk of exposure to these individuals is considered very low.