Health Minister Mark Butler announced it had locked in the jabs for distribution in Australia after '27 meetings' with vaccine company Bavarian Nordic.
Chief Health Officer Paul Kelly said it was a "very painful condition" that often affected the genital region. It also caused a rash and "flu-like symptoms".
He said it was spread by "very intimate contact", and all 58 cases in Australia had been detected in gay and bisexual men."It generally does not cause severe disease but there's some deaths in Spain recently. And it can affect other people who are immunocompromised, children, pregnant women, if it gets into those populations, it can be quite severe.
"That's why we've got the guidance nationally to prepare and respond to this outbreak. The vaccine announcement today is absolutely important but it's only one part of the many things we've been working on."Dr Kelly said the vaccines would be targeted at those at high risk from monkeypox exposure, such as gay or bisexual men who have had sex with men in the "high-risk category".
However, both he and Dr Kelly said they were confident with outbreak would remain under control in Australia, with the vaccines a new added layer of protection.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Too early to determine if COVID-19 wave has peaked, Health Minister Mark Butler saysHealth Minister Mark Butler says it's still too early to say whether the recent COVID-19 wave has passed its peak, as national cabinet prepares to discuss the virus.
Read more »
Australia's winter wave of COVID-19 may have peaked, Health Minister saysThe most-recent wave of COVID-19 infections appears to have reached its peak, federal Health Minister Mark Butler says.
Read more »
New South Wales Minister Stuart Ayres resigns after inquiry into John Barilaro appointmentPremier Dominic Perrottet reveals Stuart Ayres has resigned after a review into the former deputy premier's controversial appointment to an US trade role.
Read more »
Trial to see if New Zealand blackcurrant is a vital ingredient in improving brain health | 7NEWSBerries are a known superfood, now one type is going under the microscope to see if it can help prevent dementia. NZ blackcurrants could be a vital ingredient in improving brain health. The trial is open to NSW residents. Email: viniciusuow.edu.au 7NEWS
Read more »
National Cabinet to address health concerns
Read more »
Insignia pilots financial health check tool amid digital advice rowThe wealth giant formerly known as IOOF has signed a deal with Israeli software firm Personetics aimed at the 90 per cent of consumers who don’t have an adviser.
Read more »