A monkeypox vaccine is available in the UK but only certain people will be able to receive it.
The rollout comes after the World Health Organisation declared monkeypox a global health emergency. The rare infection is mainly spread by wild animals in parts of west or central Africa. The risk of catching it in the UK tends to be low, however, the total number of cases reported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has risen to over 2,000.
Gay men, bisexual men or men who have sex with other men in particular, have been urged to pay extra attention to the symptoms of the virus as the UKHSA claims “the majority of the cases” identified to date have been among this group.
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However, who else is eligible to receive the vaccine and how do you go about getting it?
According to the government’s website, smallpox vaccination is being offered to people who are most at risk right now to help protect them against monkeypox. The vaccine being given out is called Imvanex in the UK and Europe, Jynneos in the US and Imvamune in Canada. Regardless of the name, these all contain the same MVA vaccine and are made by the same company.
As monkeypox is caused by a virus similar to smallpox, vaccines against smallpox are expected to prevent or reduce the severity of the monkeypox infection. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended using the MVA vaccine more widely in those at risk to help also reduce the spread of the infection.
The website explained there is a limited supply of the MVA vaccine, so initially, one dose is being offered to those at highest risk first. Additional supplies are expected soon and those next in line will be offered the vaccine as soon as it becomes available.
Who the MVA vaccine is recommended for
The UKHSA currently recommends that MVA is offered to:
Healthcare workers who are caring for and who are due to start caring for a patient with confirmed monkeypox. Two doses are normally required for these workers. This includes some staff in sexual health clinics who are assessing any suspected cases
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) at the highest risk of exposure. For example, those who have multiple partners, participate in group sex or attend ‘sex on premises’ venues. Staff who work in such premises may also be eligible.
People who have already had close contact with a patient with confirmed monkeypox. Vaccination with a single dose of vaccine should be offered as soon as possible, ideally within four days of contact but sometimes can be given up to 14 days
What to do if you are not in the first round of vaccinations
Although more people have been diagnosed with monkeypox recently, “the number of people overall in the UK remains low and the risk of catching monkeypox is extremely low.”
The infection is only transmitted easily by close and intimate contact, including skin-to-skin contact. Therefore the vaccine is only being offered to those people who are likely to have very close or frequent contact with cases. By offering vaccines to these individuals, it is hoped the spread of the infection will be curtailed, thus reducing the risk to the whole population.
The vaccine is not being offered to healthcare staff who work in non-specialist wards or clinics, even those in frontline services and Accident and Emergency. These staff members are said to be “very low risk of exposure” – and they should take additional precautions if they are asked to see any suspected cases. The vaccine is also not being offered to GBMSM who have fewer partners and have a much lower chance of coming into close contact with a case.
If you are in one of the listed groups above
Some sexual health services will be contacting those men that are likely to be at the highest risk, for example, those who have had a recent sexually transmitted infection, to come in first. Other services will offer vaccines alongside other appointments, for example for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Once more vaccine supply becomes available, people outside of these initial groups will be considered. In the meantime, gay and bisexual men should be aware of the risks and symptoms of monkeypox and be careful when attending events and situations where close contact may occur.
Where you can get your MVA vaccination
The MVA vaccine is being offered in some specialist sexual health clinics and for healthcare workers from their employers.
It is recommended to check to find your local clinic, stay at home and call 111 for advice if you’re not able to contact a sexual health clinic. The MVA vaccination is only available through the NHS to eligible groups and it is a free vaccination. If the sexual health clinic you are offered is not easy to get to it is recommended you “try to attend the sexual health clinic you are offered. If you cannot attend that clinic you may have to wait to get the vaccine in a more convenient location.”
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