The NHS have launched an online vaccination site finder making it more easier and more accessible for people to get their monkeypox jab by supporting people to find their nearest vaccination centre and providing help in booking an appointment.
As monkeypox is caused by a similar virus to smallpox, the NHS is offering the smallpox vaccine to protect people who are most likely to be exposed to monkeypox. Since the NHS rolled the programme out when the first case was identified, nearly 50,000 people have been vaccinated.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates that around 95,000 people in England are eligible but only half are in contact with sexual health services. Alex Sparrowhawk, Health Promotion Specialist at Terrence Higgins Trust, has called it “vital” that information on how and where people can get vaccinated is “clear and accessible”, adding that the new online portal is “a positive step forward”.
In accordance with UKHSA guidance, people at higher risk of exposure include bisexual, gay and/or men who have had sex with men, alongside specific frontline staff and those in close contact with a confirmed case.
Previously, the NHS and sexual health services had been manually contacting high-risk individuals, but now there are almost 100 monkeypox vaccine sites across England in locations such as hospitals, health centres and sexual health clinics.
Steve Russell, NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening, stated: “The NHS is redoubling its efforts to get people who are most likely to get monkeypox vaccinated and with half of those eligible in contact with sexual health services and continuing to be invited, now is the time to come forward for a first dose via the finder if you haven’t already.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, added: “It’s encouraging that we are continuing to see significantly fewer cases of monkeypox reported in the UK. However, it remains vital that people are alert to the risk monkeypox poses and take action to protect themselves and others. This vital new service will help make it easier for those at highest risk to get vaccination appointments.”
View the online site finder here.
