People were queuing for hours in 'direct sun' today as hundreds waited for a monkeypox jab. One person 'collapsed' as lines snaked through a car park for the mass vaccination clinic.
A mass vaccination clinic against monkeypox took place today (Sunday, August 14) 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, met with frustrations that London has vaccinated thousands of people already, while Manchester has seen piecemeal vaccine allocations in the hundreds.
But as people from across Greater Manchester were told to come down to the clinic, patients sounded alarm bells about the lengthy queues in the hot weather. Vaccines were all allocated within six hours of the clinic starting.
READ MORE: I waited in a queue with hundreds for a monkeypox jab - this is what it was like
"Been in the monkeypox vaccine queue in direct sunlight in a car park for over four hours. Just had someone faint," tweeted Jack Fifield. The clinic opened for patients at 9am this morning.
"Taking the patient away in a chair now. Still don't get why there's been no water handed out, no opportunity for shade either. I've been leaving the queue and getting my water refilled at Caffe Nero.
"Clinical staff now asking people alone in the queue to ask those around them to save their place in the queue to make sure they can go and get a drink. Person who collapsed has been taken away with eyes closed."
An ambulance arrived at the Hathersage Centre, where the clinic was being run. Clinicians also emerged to tell the waiting lines of patients that the centre had just '400 doses for 4,000 eligible patients', according to witnesses.
Others have shared on social media that they waited hours and got nearer to the front of the queue, only to be told there were no longer any vaccines available.
A spokesperson for MFT said: “We encourage anyone attending a clinic today to plan ahead and follow UK government advice for coping in the heat. Please bring everything you might need with you, including water and sun cream, and wear a hat and light clothing.
“If you or someone near you are feeling unwell please alert a member of our staff.”
But as of 2.45pm, the centre had allocated all of the available jabs for the day. The Northern Contraception, Sexual Health and HIV service, which runs the clinic, urged people not to come and join the queue as they will not get seen.
For the clinic, patients from across Greater Manchester - regardless of postcode - had to fit eligibility criteria.
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," tweeted Dr Chris Ward, a consultant for the sexual health service. "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.”
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.
Frustrations have been aired that London, where monkeypox cases have been highest, has received more vaccines. Meanwhile, other cities - despite having thriving LGBTQ+ scenes - have only been allocated hundreds at a time. Greater Manchester health leaders are urging 'the highest levels of government' to review the vaccine supplies, the Manchester Evening News understands.
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.
“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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