The NHS has issued an urgent call for three specific groups to come forward for a crucial vaccine, following the detection of a new case of a potentially lethal virus strain in England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported a fresh diagnosis of clade Ib mpox on January 31.
Since October 2024, eight cases of clade Ib have been identified in England, a strain distinct from the one that sparked an outbreak in the UK in 2022. Clade Ib is believed to be more contagious than the previous strain, raising concerns.
In response, 12 new mpox vaccination sites have been launched across England. The NHS has announced that starting this week, every region will be able to offer the vaccine to those at heightened risk of contracting the infection – a service previously only available to eligible individuals 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:
- Have multiple partners
- Participate in group sex
- Or attend sex-on-premises venues
“Staff at these venues may also be eligible,” the NHS adds. Mpox can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs. After infection with mpox, symptoms typically manifest between five and 21 days later.
The initial signs of mpox can be grim with a high fever, painful headaches, muscular pains and backache, plus swollen glands, shivering fits, utter exhaustion and joint pain afflicting individuals. After one to five days from the onset, a rash could break out anywhere on the body.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) cautions that the very young, expectant mothers, and those with weakened immune systems, particularly individuals with poorly managed HIV, are more susceptible to acute complications from mpox which could be fatal. Most individuals, however, recover within four weeks. .
The latest case of mpox reported in England involves a person who recently travelled back from Uganda and is now receiving specialised treatment at the Royal Free Hospital’s High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit in London; this country is seeing ongoing local transmission of clade Ib mpox.
Dr Merav Kliner, serving as incident director at UKHSA, has stated, “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.”
Numerous African nations have been grappling with a spate of clade Ib mpox cases lately. Elsewhere, imported instances have come to light in several countries, including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, and the United States.
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccination and screening, commented on the vaccine response to mpox, stating: “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.”
He emphasised the importance of accessibility, adding, “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.”
Russell also encouraged those who meet the criteria to get vaccinated: “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:
- Birmingham
- Nottingham
- Sheffield
- Sunderland
- Hull
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- Blackpool
- Southampton
- Bristol
- Exeter
- Hatfield, Hertfordshire
This is in addition to 19 sites already vaccinating in:
- London
- Greater Manchester
- Brighton