Over 25,000 people in the UK have come forward to have the monkeypox vaccine, following an outbreak of the virus which has been predominantly in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Now a shortage of vaccines globally has caused a delay to the rollout.
The UK has purchased 150,000 vaccines, with the initial delivery of 50,000 all expected to be distributed to those at highest risk of exposure - including healthcare workers - by the end of August. A further 100,000 doses of the vaccine are set to be received “later in September”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) states.
From the initial delivery of 50,000 doses, 40,000 were allocated to the NHS, with approximately 27,000 people having been vaccinated by the health service as of August 10. Around 25,325 of those were gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, the rest were healthcare workers and contacts of monkeypox cases.
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Additionally 6,000 vaccines were allocated for distribution between Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Crown Dependencies, the UKHSA states. UK Government advice states: “If you think you may be eligible for a vaccination, please wait to be invited by the NHS.”
Public Health Wales states : “Anyone eligible for a pre-exposure vaccination in Wales will be contacted directly by their health board. People concerned about symptoms should contact NHS 111 or a sexual health service.”
At the current rate of vaccination the NHS is due to run out of the remaining doses from the initial delivery by the end of August. Global “issues with supply due to vaccine availability and the necessary time to produce more vaccines” has meant there is likely to be a pause in the monkeypox vaccine rollout until late September.
However, the UKHSA states that it will use “any residual supplies” vaccines to protect those most at risk. It added that sexual health services would be keeping a record of those eligable for the vaccine for when supplies become available.
What is the monkeypox vaccine and who makes it?
The vaccine being administered is actually a smallpox vaccination, the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine, and is manufactured by Bavarian Nordic in Europe. It is being given as a vaccine against monkeypox as it produces antibodies that help the body fight monkeypox.
The UKHSA states: “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 MVA vaccine was “used widely in the UK and abroad into the 1970s” to protect against smallpox.
The vaccine takes up to four weeks to reach its highest level of protection. Protection “will start to build after a few days”.
How many cases of monkeypox are there in the UK?
There have been 3,017 cases of monkeypox across the UK. The UK Government’s latest figures suggest that the outbreak is slowing, with an average of 29 cases confirmed a day (from August 1 to 7). During the last week of June an average of 52 cases were confirmed each day.
As of August 11 there had been a total of 40 monkeypox cases confirmed in Wales. As most of the UK’s outbreak has been localised to London, vaccines are being distributed there as priority, the Welsh Government confirmed.
Dr Claire Dewsnap, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV president, added: “While you are waiting for your vaccine, or if you have just received one, please remain alert to the symptoms of monkeypox, especially if you have had a new or multiple sexual partners. Symptoms can take up to three weeks to develop, so keep checking yourself after intimate contact with others. If you feel unwell, please speak to a sexual health service.”
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Common symptoms of a monkeypox infection include a fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash. You may notice just a single or a few blisters or spots on the genitals, anus, or surrounding area.
Those suffering from monkeypox may also get lesions in the mouth, and anal or rectal pain or bleeding (symptoms of proctitis), the UKHSA warns. Seek medical assistance by phone, the NHS advice states.
What to do if you have symptoms of monkeypox
If you believe you have symptoms of monkeypox the NHS asks that you call your local sexual health clinic. If this is closed, phone your GP.
If you’re not able to get through to your GP, phone 111. In a life-threatening emergency phone 999. Visit the NHS website or Public Health Wales for more information and updated advice.
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