The second dose of the Monkeypox vaccine is now being rolled out.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that second doses of the smallpox (Jynneos) vaccine will be offered to people at highest risk from monkeypox to maximise protection against the virus. The NHS will call forward those that are eligible for vaccination and second doses will be offered from around 2-3 months after the first dose was given.
The targeted approach is supported by modelling which suggests vaccinating 25% of the groups most at risk could significantly reduce the risk of transmission. Whilst sexual health clinics will continue to prioritise offering first doses to those at highest risk, some clinics will also begin to offer eligible people a second dose to provide a longer-term protection. There are no current plans to widen the offer of vaccination beyond the existing priority cohorts, though this decision will be kept under review.
READ MORE: Monkeypox case confirmed in Liverpool after travel to West Africa
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director, public health programmes at UKHSA said: “It’s encouraging that we’re continuing to see fewer cases of monkeypox reported in the UK and we are grateful to everyone who has followed advice about potential symptoms, isolated as part of this outbreak or come forward for vaccination to help limit transmission. Prioritising vaccine stock where possible for second doses for those at highest risk will help us maximise protection and interrupt transmission. When you are called forward for vaccination, please take up the offer.”
Monkeypox is a rare infection which is mainly spread by wild animals in parts of west or central Africa. Cases of the infection were confirmed in England in May 2022 with the outbreak having “mainly been in gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) without documented history of travel to endemic countries”, according to the government’s website. As of last week, more than 45,000 people have received a dose of the vaccine including over 40,000 GBMSM who are at the highest risk of exposure.
UKSHA has also confirmed the delivery of 20,000 additional vaccines from Bavarian Nordic, the single global supplier of the vaccine being used in response to the current outbreak in the UK. The vaccines are available for NHS services to order and are being distributed now, with an additional 80,000 vaccines expected to arrive later this month.
As of September 16, there are 3,585 confirmed and highly probable cases of monkeypox in the UK. Following a clear peak of more than 60 cases per day in mid-July, the number of cases has decreased throughout August and continues to fall, with less than 15 cases per day on average in early September.
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), added: “The JCVI has endorsed the UKHSA’s proposal that vaccination to protect against monkeypox should continue to be prioritised for those at highest risk of exposure to the virus, including offering second doses to individuals once they become eligible. This approach will ensure the globally-limited supplies are used most effectively, continuing to break chains of transmission, as well as providing those at highest risk of exposure with longer-lasting protection.”
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