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Gay and bisexual men to be offered monkeypox vaccine

Published 16:42 21 Jun 2022 BST

Updated 17:33 21 Jun 2022 BST

Kieran Galpin
Gay and bisexual men to be offered monkeypox vaccine

Homehealth

People should not come forward unless contacted

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that vaccines for monkeypox should be offered to some gay and bisexual men. The medical body has recommended the smallpox vaccine Imvanex, which has shown to be effective, reports Sky News. https://twitter.com/UKHSA/status/1539226501144629248 The health body has said that doctors may advise vaccination for someone who "has multiple partners, participates in group sex or attends 'sex on premises' venues." While the virus can be transmitted to anyone, the agency says data shows higher levels of transmission "within, but not exclusive to, the sexual networks of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men." While the term vaccination will undoubtedly drum up some negative rhetoric, the scheme has been supported by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which also led the covid vaccination response. NHS England is expected to share details shortly on how people can get vaccinated against the virus. People should not come forward unless contacted. This is a developing story; more to follow.  Related links:
Monkeypox: Gay and bisexual men to be offered vaccine