NHS urges three groups to get urgent mpox vaccine as another case detected in UK
NHS urges three groups to get urgent mpox vaccine as another case detected in UK
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The NHS has urged three groups of people to come forward for an important vaccine as a new case of a potentially deadly virus strain has been detected in England. A new diagnosis of clade Ib mpox was reported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on January 31. So far, eight cases of clade Ib have been detected in England since October 2024. This is different from the strain of mpox that caused an outbreak in the UK in 2022.
Clade Ib is thought to be more transmissible than that strain, prompting concern. In response to these cases, 12 new mpox vaccination sites have opened across England. According to the NHS, from this week, every region will be able to offer the vaccine for those at increased risk of getting the infection – after previously only being available to those eligible in London, Manchester and Brighton. Three groups of people are being urged to come forward for these vaccines.
These are if you are a man who has sex with men and:. “Staff at these venues may also be eligible,” the NHS adds. Mpox can be passed on from person to person through any close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs. Once infected with mpox, it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. The first symptoms of mpox include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen glands, shivering, exhaustion and joint pain. A rash usually appears one to five days after the first symptoms and can be on any part of the body.
The illness is not usually deadly and most people recover after four weeks. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that children, pregnant people and people with weak immune systems, including people living with HIV that is not well controlled, are at higher risk for serious illness and death due to complications from mpox. As per the UKHSA, the most recent case in England was detected in London and the individual is now under specialist care at the Royal Free Hospital High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit. They had recently returned from Uganda, where there is currently community transmission of clade Ib mpox.
Dr Merav Kliner, incident director at UKHSA, explained: “The risk to the UK population remains low. Close contacts have been identified and offered appropriate advice in order to reduce the chance of further spread.”. Clade Ib mpox has been circulating in several countries in Africa in recent months. Imported cases have been detected in a number of countries including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden and the United States.
Regarding vaccines, Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccination and screening, said: “The NHS is fully prepared to respond to mpox and the latest cases of clade 1b with local services pulling out all the stops to vaccinate those eligible since it first became present in England, and tens of thousands in priority groups already coming forward and getting protected. “While the risk to the public remains low, it is important that eligible people across England are able to access mpox vaccines easily, which is why we are now offering the jabs at even more sites across the country in line with supply.
“So, if you meet the eligibility criteria please come forward and get protected – simply search on the NHS website to find the vaccination site closest to you.”. Vaccination appointments will be available at the sites listed on the NHS online site finder, with the number expected to increase. The new locations are:. This is in addition to 19 sites already vaccinating in:. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories.
