Routine vaccination holds key to reducing future mpox outbreaks in England, say researchers
July 2, 2025
New research co-led by the University of Bristol and UK Health Security Agency confirms that routine mpox vaccination programs for gay and bisexual men are both cost-effective and life-saving. The study found that continuous vaccination, with targeted intensification during outbreaks, could cut projected cases in England from 11,000 to 1,000 over a decade while saving the NHS £9 million. As Clade Ib spreads in Sub-Saharan Africa, this model demonstrates the global value of proactive, targeted public health strategies. Ensuring continued access to vaccination is essential to reduce mpox transmission, protect high-risk groups, and preserve public health resources.
A comprehensive study led by the University of Bristol, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the NIHR offers compelling evidence that targeted mpox vaccination for gay and bisexual men in England is not only medically effective but also fiscally responsible. Published amid ongoing Clade Ib outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa, the findings emphasize the importance of proactive and sustained immunization strategies to limit future mpox outbreaks.
Using epidemiological data from the 2022 global mpox outbreak—where gay and bisexual men were disproportionately affected—the researchers modeled several vaccination scenarios. All strategies significantly reduced the probability of outbreaks and associated healthcare costs. However, continuous vaccination, with added doses during outbreaks, emerged as the most cost-effective approach. This strategy could reduce cases from 11,000 to 1,000 over ten years and save the NHS approximately £9 million. These benefits were robust across sensitivity analyses, reinforcing the recommendation to continue low-rate, targeted immunization campaigns.
While mpox remains rare in the UK, its presence in England and the expansion of Clade Ib in Africa highlight the risk of resurgence. The study also anticipates the need to broaden modeling to encompass general population transmission, particularly in heterosexual networks, to ensure future preparedness.
Public health leaders, including Dr. Sema Mandal of UKHSA, urge eligible individuals to complete the vaccine series, which is now widely available. Vaccination not only protects individuals but also curtails broader transmission, improving population-level health outcomes.
As global outbreaks continue and vaccine equity remains a challenge, this study serves as a reminder that strategic investment in routine, targeted vaccination is both a public health imperative and an economic safeguard. Proactive prevention must remain a cornerstone of mpox control—today and for years to come.