NSW records largest mpox outbreak and urges vaccination due to rising hospitalisations

New South Wales is urging those at risk of contracting mpox to get vaccinated as the state records its largest outbreak, which the top health official has described as “very concerning”.The NSW chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, confirmed there had been 433 cases since 1 June 2024, the state’s biggest outbreak since the first case in May 2022.She described the rapidly rising numbers of mpox as “very concerning”, with 26 people requiring hospitalisation due to severe symptoms.The majority of these hospitalisations have been among those who have received one or no dose of the vaccine, she said. Infections among fully vaccinated people tended to be milder and for a shorter period.Almost 40% of the 433 people infected people were fully vaccinated, 14% had received one dose, and almost half were not vaccinated, she said.Two free doses of the mpox vaccine will be available for men who have sex with men, sex workers and their sexual partners, regardless of their Medicare…