In late 2024, a response team of experts advised offering a vaccination against mpox to men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people who have a higher risk of getting mpox. The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) has adopted this advisory opinion.

People can be vaccinated against mpox if they are in the specific target groups and one or more of the following applies:

• Using HIV-PrEP to prevent HIV infection;
• On the waiting list for HIV-PrEP;
• More than 10 sexual partners in the past 6 months;
• Goes to sex venues and/or sex parties;
• Takes part in group sex;
• HIV-positive and regularly tested for hepatitis C.

Information about the mpox vaccination

A full series of vaccinations consists of two vaccine doses. There must be at least 4 weeks between the two injections.

• Were you vaccinated against smallpox when you were a child? Then you only need one vaccine dose.
• Have you already had an mpox infection? Then you no longer need to be vaccinated.
• Were you fully vaccinated against mpox in 2022 or 2023? Then you do not need to get vaccinated again. No booster vaccinations against mpox are being given at this time.

More information and making an appointment

For more information, see Soaaids.nl and Mantotman.nl. These two websites offer information for the general public and specific information for MSM contact in both Dutch and English. This includes a FAQ and general information about mpox and sex.
Each region of the Netherlands has its own guidelines for when and how you can make an appointment to get an mpox vaccination. Check out the list of starting dates and contact details for all the regions for more details.