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.
#Monkeypox update
Today we’ve published the latest cases data report for confirmed cases in the UK. We will be updating this report with the latest data every Tuesday and Thursday.
See the full report: https://t.co/A0dPG3vG7S pic.twitter.com/F6uI3Wffyk— UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) June 21, 2022
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:
- People with many sexual partners need to watch out for monkeypox, says chief doctor
- Monkeypox contacts advised to isolate for 21 days, UKHSA says
- Belgium becomes first nation to introduce compulsory monkeypox quarantine
- Monkeypox contacts advised to isolate for 21 days, UKHSA says
