Free Mpox Vaccination: 3,000 Doses for Three Priority Groups

On September 6, 2023, at the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, gave an interview following a meeting of the Subcommittee on Immunization regarding the plan for using the vaccine to prevent Mpox in Thailand. The key points are as follows.

The Department of Disease Control has approved a budget of 21 million baht to purchase 3,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine. Because this vaccine has not yet been registered in Thailand, the Department must invoke Section 13(5) of the Drug Act B.E. 2510 (1967) to carry out the purchase for disease control purposes.

Dr. Thongchai explained that Mpox has a relatively low transmission rate, as infection requires very close contact. In addition, its symptoms are not as severe as those of other respiratory infections, since it does not cause coughing or a runny nose. Therefore, the likelihood of a major or widespread outbreak is low. Nevertheless, the Subcommittee determined that procuring the vaccine remains necessary as a disease-control measure.

The 3,000 doses being purchased will be administered to three main at-risk groups:

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1. Medical personnel who are at high risk of contact with infected patients.
2. People with a history of exposure to the disease who are at risk of infection, who must be vaccinated within 4 days after exposure.
3. People with a history of close contact with an infected person, such as family members of a patient.

In addition, there is a group who may have to pay for the vaccine themselves: people planning to travel to countries where the disease is spreading. This service is currently available at the Thai Red Cross Society.

The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control also revealed that the next step will be to proceed through the National Vaccine Institute to carry out the procurement. It is expected to take about 4 months after ordering before the vaccine is received for use in the country.

Dr. Thongchai emphasized that this vaccination is not intended for the general public, because the transmission rate is low and no widespread outbreak has been found in the Thai population; cases have been found only within specific groups. Since the first case was found in Thailand in 2022, most patients have been men who sell sex.

The latest statistics show a total of 819 patients who have received treatment and 13 cumulative deaths. All of those who died were also living with HIV. The most commonly found strain is Clade 2. In 2022, there were 673 cases, and in 2023 the number of cases dropped to 146, most of whom remained within the same group, with more cases found in men than in women.

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Regarding the first case of Clade 1b infection found in Thailand, Dr. Thongchai reported that the patient had already fully recovered. Follow-up of 43 close contacts was completed with no additional infections found, which indicates that there has been no outbreak or further transmission in Thailand. However, the Department of Disease Control continues to monitor the situation closely, as it assesses that Thailand may still see cases of this strain entering the country in the future.

The Department of Disease Control continues to stress prevention and disease-control measures, urging the public to wash their hands regularly, maintain good hygiene, and avoid close contact with anyone showing suspected symptoms. Anyone with unusual symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash should see a doctor promptly for diagnosis and early treatment, in order to prevent further spread of the disease.

Source: hfocus

Verified references

Links and relevance to the article’s main topic were reviewed on 13 August 2026. Each source supports only the scope stated in the original document and does not replace personalised medical, legal, or service advice.

1. CDC: Mpox Vaccine Considerations Accessed 13 August 2026
2. WHO: Mpox fact sheet Accessed 13 August 2026
3. CDC: About Mpox Accessed 13 August 2026