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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jonathan Geddes

NHS Lanarkshire under 'significant pressure' over supplies of monkeypox vaccine

Lanarkshire's health board is under "significant pressure" for sourcing supplies of the vaccine against monkeypox.

Correspondence from the health board showed they have provided over 200 vaccinations so far, but have admitted that the number of people considered to be "at risk" is several times that number.

The health board's chief executive Heather Knox stated in a letter to an MSP that "only those at the highest risk" are currently being offered the vaccine, due to limited supplies.

Ms Knox also told the Labour list MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy that "Scotland has been provided with a very limited stock of the vaccine" and that a separate stock of the vaccine was being held in reserve for anyone who is diagnosed with the infection.

The viral infection started to spread across the UK earlier this year, and a total of 77 cases have so far been confirmed in Scotland.

It is known to spread through close personal contact, or by touching objects or fabrics that are used by someone who has the disease.

Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy (PA)

The disease can infect anyone, but the majority of cases in the UK have been found in gay or bisexual men, who have had recent sexual contact with new partners.

People who fit that criteria are considered to be at the highest risk.

Ms Duncan-Glancy told Lanarkshire Live that there is a "desperate need" to see supplies increase.

She said: "There are shortages of the monkeypox vaccine right across Europe, and the situation is no different in Scotland.

"Following on from the global coronavirus pandemic people are understandably concerned by the outbreak, particularly as questions around where it came from and its method of transmission remain unanswered.

“NHS Lanarkshire have been very open and honest about the current situation and recognise that their supply is simply unable to fulfil the demand of high-risk individuals.

"I know their hardworking staff will be doing all they can to ensure that the vaccine is getting to as many of those who need it as possible, and quickly – but there is a desperate need to see the supply across Scotland increase.

“It’s important there is transparency and strategy from the Scottish Government on vaccine supply."

Dr John Logan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, NHS Lanarkshire said: “The monkeypox outbreak is a global situation that has placed significant pressure on supplies of the available vaccine.

"Scotland has been provided with a limited stock of the vaccine and this has been distributed to NHS Boards including NHS Lanarkshire. A monkeypox vaccination programme has been established and just over 200 Lanarkshire residents have already been vaccinated.

"Those who were assessed as being most at risk of acquiring monkeypox infection were contacted and invited to attend for vaccination.

"There was a very positive response to this with a high percentage of people contacted to come forward for vaccination having done so.

"Further supplies of the vaccine are expected in the coming weeks, and upon receipt of further vaccine supplies others assessed as being at risk of monkeypox infection will be contacted and invited to attend for vaccination.

Further details on monkeypox can be found here.

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