mPox Vaccination Centers in the UK

Recent Developments

Here is the latest information on the setup of mpox (monkeypox) vaccination centers in the UK:

• Number of New Sites

  Twelve new mpox vaccination sites have opened across England. This expansion means that every region in the country can now offer mpox vaccinations to those at higher risk of catching the virus.

• Location Details

  New vaccination locations include major cities like Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, Sunderland, Leeds, Liverpool, and Bristol, in addition to the previously available sites in London, Brighton, and Manchester.

• Eligibility

  The mpox vaccine is primarily offered to those considered at higher risk, which includes:

  • Men who have sex with men and have multiple partners
  • Participants in group sex
  • Attendees of sex-on-premises venues
  • Staff at these venues may also be eligible

  The NHS and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have set specific criteria for eligibility, emphasizing those who might have had contact with mpox cases.

• Vaccine Type

  The vaccine used is primarily the smallpox vaccine, which has been found effective against mpox. There’s also mention of a new investigational mRNA vaccine being tested in the UK, but this is not yet part of the standard vaccination rollout.

• Public Health Context

  This rollout follows the detection of a new case of Clade 1b mpox in England, which differs from the strain that has been circulating since 2022. Although the risk from mpox remains low according to UKHSA, these centers aim to increase access to vaccinations to prevent potential outbreaks.

• Accessing Vaccination

  Individuals eligible for the vaccine can book appointments through an NHS online site finder, which provides details on how to get vaccinated at these new centers. Walk-ins for those potentially exposed are not recommended; instead, they should contact health services for specific guidance.

• Public Reaction and Concerns

  There have been discussions on social media and in news outlets about the necessity and scale of the vaccination program, with some questioning the allocation of resources given the relatively low number of cases.

Note: For the most accurate and up-to-date information, including exact locations and how to book an appointment, visiting the NHS England website or local health authority sites would be advisable.

Sources

• NHS England announcements
• UK Health Security Agency statements
• Various news articles from outlets like The Independent, Sky News, and local news sources in Hull