Should HCWs who care for suspected cases of monkeypox be vaccinated?
A. Previously or currently exposed HCWs HCWs currently caring for suspected or proven monkeypox cases or who have been recently involved in such care should be vaccinated. Vaccination is recommended for persons who are within 4 days of initial direct exposure and should be considered for persons who are within 2 weeks of most recent exposure. Vaccination should occur as soon as possible after confirmed exposure. Vaccination sites should be managed as recommended for HCWs in the pre-event smallpox vaccination program (9). B. HCWs who may be asked to care for monkeypox patients in the future Ideally, HCWs selected to care for suspected monkeypox cases should not have any of the contraindications to smallpox vaccination in the pre-event smallpox vaccination setting (11, 12). When possible, priority should be given to having HCWs who were previously vaccinated, with confirmed takes, care for patients with suspected monkeypox. When such workers are unavailable, HCWs may be vaccinated immedi
