There is a mass vaccination clinic against monkeypox today following concerns that the virus may spread at upcoming Manchester Pride events. The vaccination drive also comes as monkeypox cases have seen an uptick in recent weeks across the country.
But there are warnings of ‘very limited stock’ of vaccinations as medics try to manage jabs. ‘London and Brighton have already run out, and we will imminently as well’, one consultant said in a Twitter post.
Public health and NHS leaders in the region are urging the government to act to increase the supply of vaccines to cities in England, the Manchester Evening News understands. Pressures are being felt internationally as countries vie for jabs.
READ MORE: I waited in a queue with hundreds for a monkeypox jab - this is what it was like
In a Twitter thread, Dr Chris Ward, a consultant for the Northern Contraception, Sexual Health and HIV service said: “Please read if attending tomorrow: We are operating a mass monkeypox vaccination event tomorrow at the MFT vaccination clinic, 193 Hathersage Road, M13 0JE.
“This is for any eligible resident of Greater Manchester irrespective of post code. It will be first come first served from 9am until vaccine stock runs out. Last week this was about 5pm.
“To be eligible you must have attended one of the Northern sexual health clinics, so that’s Hathersage, Withington, Urmston or North Manchester General [Hospital] sexual health clinics, in the last year.
“Unlike previous vaccine events we will be checking and if you have not attended you will be turned away. To be clear an attendance means you have physically attended a clinic for testing/treatment, or have completed, returned and received the results from a home testing kit.
“As well as attending a Northern clinic you must identify as a gay or bisexual man, be a man who has sex with other men, or are trans or non-binary with other risk factors. Due to limited vaccine we need to ensure it goes to those at most need, including:
- people on or eligible for PrEP
- multiple partners in last month
- participate in group sex
- attend sex on premises venues like saunas/sex clubs/dark rooms
- had an STI in the last year
“If you have received a text from us inviting you for vaccination please show us this as it’s the easiest way to verify your eligibility. If not, we will assess eligibility when booking you in.”
But with thousands of patients who meet the criteria, there will simply not be enough vaccines or capacity to jab everyone. “We have approximately 4,500 patients that meet the eligibility criteria so as frustrating as these restrictions are, we need to do something to manage capacity,” continues Dr Ward.
“It is likely to be very busy with long queues and waiting times but we will do our best to be as efficient and quick as we can. Please bring water and sun cream, it’s likely to be very hot and there isn’t a lot of shade.
“There may also be a small number of people attending separately for vaccines that for various reasons are unable to walk in. Please be mindful of hidden disabilities and vulnerabilities that mean these people may seem to be prioritised.
“Please check your eligibility and please don’t attend if you aren’t eligible. There is no point turning up on the off chance as you’ll end up queuing for hours to be turned away.
“If you cannot get vaccinated with us and have been to other sexual health clinics in Greater Manchester please check with them if you are able to access a vaccine through their clinic. As a sexual health doctor myself and the vaccine team don’t want to turn anyone away, and wish we could vaccinate everyone at need but sadly with limited vaccine stock this isn’t possible."
Updates are expected to follow around any remaining stock and future vaccination plans. As Greater Manchester gets ready to celebrate Pride later this month, anxieties have swirled that the virus will be spread at the events.
While anyone can get Monkeypox, the majority of monkeypox cases identified in the UK are among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (MSM), with the infection being passed on mainly through close contact, including sexual contact, between people.
Monkeypox can be passed on from person to person through:
- Any close physical contact with monkeypox blisters or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling, or holding hands)
- Touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with monkeypox
- The coughs or sneezes of a person with monkeypox when they're close to you
Health leaders are urging ticketholders to take precautions, including knowing the signs and symptoms, and staying at home if they feel unwell. But some hopeful attendees are calling on Pride to create a refund system for those who cannot go if they test positive for monkeypox, or decide they are no longer comfortable.
Others have added that people with the virus might not be convinced to stay at home if there is no incentive and they have spent a lot of money.
David Regan, director of public health for Manchester, speaking on behalf of the ten Greater Manchester directors of public health, said: “Whilst the risk of monkeypox remains, we are still seeing cases across Greater Manchester, mainly in Manchester and Salford. We are encouraging people to familiarise themselves with symptoms. If you have been in contact with someone who has monkeypox, or you think you have symptoms of monkeypox such as a rash with blisters, and have aches, a fever and swollen glands, you should contact your usual sexual health clinic or NHS 111 for a confidential conversation.
“Everyone deserves to have a safe and fun Pride, so before attending any group events including bars, clubs and outside events, people should check themselves for monkeypox symptoms, including rashes and blisters. If you have monkeypox symptoms, even just one spot, please stay at home and avoid close contact with other people until you’ve been given advice by a healthcare professional.
“It can take up to three weeks for symptoms to appear after being in contact with someone with monkeypox, so stay alert for symptoms after you have intimate, sexual contact including kissing. If you’re hooking up with someone new, get each other’s details.”
Jane Pilkington, director of population health for NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care said: “We are continuing to offer the vaccine to people known to sexual health services who are at highest risk of getting monkeypox, so if you’re offered the vaccine, please do get it.
“We are pleased to offer a weekend clinic to get as many people vaccinated as possible. As our supply is currently limited, people should only attend if they are a patient of the Northern and meet the national eligibility criteria.
"We are expecting the clinic to be busy, and we do not want anyone to queue unnecessarily. Eligibility will be checked, and people will be seen on a first-come-first-served basis.
"If you believe you are eligible, but are registered with another clinic in Greater Manchester, please wait to be invited.
“Remember, as with any contagious disease, even after vaccination, you should still follow advice and guidance to prevent becoming infected or spreading monkeypox. For most people, monkeypox is a mild illness and people will make a full recovery without treatment. I would urge people to follow the NHS guidance and seek advice if needed.
"We are grateful to partners across the voluntary sector, including LGBTQ+ organisations, for their support and are working together to share information so everyone can enjoy Pride safely.”
Further information can be found on nhs.uk/monkeypox and in this leaflet from the UKHSA: Why do I have to wait for my smallpox (MVA) vaccination.
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