The NHS is scaling up its monkeypox vaccination programme in London as the number of confirmed cases has reached more than 2,000 across the country.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has procured an additional 100,000 doses of the jab to help tackle the spread of the virus.
A total of 2,137 cases have been confirmed in the UK, with 2,050 in England the majority in London, according to the latest figures released on 18 July.
While anyone can contract monkeypox, the majority of cases continue to be in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
As a result, experts have recommended that gay and bisexual men at higher risk of exposure to the virus should be offered a vaccine against smallpox called Imvanex.
“While the risk of monkeypox remains very low and nearly every case we have seen so far has recovered quickly, over 2,000 people have been affected by the virus,” said Steve Russell, NHS director of vaccinations.
“On the whole, the cases we are seeing are among gay and bisexual men or men who have sex with men, with a significant number coming from London and so it is vital that those who are most likely to get the virus get vaccinated as quickly as possible.”
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After getting the virus, It normally takes between five and 21 days for symptoms to show, with initial signs including a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen glands, shivering and exhaustion.
A rash, beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body, will usually appear between one and five days after the first symptoms.
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Monkeypox can spread from person to person through:
• Touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash
• Touching monkeypox skin blisters or scabs (including during sex)
• The coughs or sneezes of a person with the monkeypox rash
Due to London recording a higher number of cases than anywhere else in the country, additional vaccination doses will be administered in the city to stop monkeypox from spreading further.
Thousands more people who are eligible in the capital will be contacted about getting their jab as plans are scaled up and more vaccines become available, NHS England said.
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There are now 18 clinics in London offering vaccinations and people have been urged not to get a jab until they are contacted.
“Thousands more people will be invited very shortly with the number of clinics expanded too, and as we have done with the most successful COVID vaccination programme in history, the NHS will leave no stone unturned in ensuring everyone who is eligible can get protected,” Mr Russell added.
“We are asking people to wait to be contacted and to come forward at the earliest opportunity possible when invited to get vaccinated.”
