A monkeypox vaccine clinic will be held in Manchester this weekend in a bid to boost protection across the city-region ahead of Manchester Pride this month.
It comes as cases of the virus reached over 50 in Manchester and 100 in Greater Manchester. While anyone can get monkeypox, the majority of cases being identified are among gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (MSM).
Due to a very limited national supply of the vaccine, sexual health services across the conurbation are currently contacting people who are at a highest risk of monkeypox to offer them the opportunity.
READ MORE: I waited in a queue with hundreds for a monkeypox jab - this is what it was like
Ahead of Pride weekend on the August bank holiday weekend, a vaccination clinic will be held at the Vaccination Hub on Hathersage Road in south Manchester on Sunday (August 14) - for people registered with Northern Sexual Health Service.
People who are not registered with the service are being urged to contact their local services and await information about a vaccine, as those attending the hub will be asked to provide patient details.
Around 400 vaccines are expected to be supplied at the clinic on Sunday and will be provided to eligible people on a first-come-first-serve basis. It comes after people hoping to protect themselves for Pride expressed fears it 'might be too late.'
Anyone who received the vaccine on Sunday is expected to have a good level of protection in time for Pride weekend in three weeks time, according to the region's health bosses.
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."
People who are known to sexual health services and eligible for a vaccine have been invited by phone call or text message to book an appointment or attend an invite-only walk-in clinic on a specific day to receive a vaccine, with further invites being made.
Clinics are being held across Greater Manchester with a range of venues, dates, and times to encourage uptake with nearly 1,000 vaccinations given so far.
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 (publishing.service.gov.uk).
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