The HSE and the Department of Health are in contact with countries that are stockpiling monkeypox vaccines, as both bodies work to secure supplies.
The interim Chief Medical Officer has confirmed Ireland will receive a proportion of the 54 thousand vaccines arriving in Europe in December.
Professor Breda Smyth says those in at risk groups and healthcare workers will be prioritised in the rollout.
Professor of Health Systems at DCU, Anthony Staines, says vaccines are essential to managing the virus’ spread:
There's a potential for wider spread at any time.
It's really about controlling this disease, getting the case numbers down and immunizing people as quickly as possible.
We're using the same kind of approach as with dealing with smallpox, which is when one occurs, we vaccinate everyone around that case.
