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NHS Grampian now offering monkeypox vaccinations

Eligible individuals will be offered the vaccine in the Grampian area.  Photo supplied by Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire.
Eligible individuals will be offered the vaccine in the Grampian area. Photo supplied by Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire.

NHS Grampian has announced it will begin offering monkeypox vaccinations in the coming weeks.

The health board will be providing eligible individuals with vaccinations over the next few months.

Those who are deemed at high risk of developing monkeypox will be contacted by health services by phone or text and offered an appointment.

Instead of offering a specific jab, the vaccine for smallpox will be administered instead. It works by helping the immune system produce its own antibodies to fight the disease.

Public Health Scotland revealed there are 69 confirmed confirmed cases in Scotland so far.

Positive tests have been recorded in every health board north of the border, but cases are generally higher in more urban areas.

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is related to smallpox and was first discovered in monkeys.

The disease is usually mild but can cause severe illness in some cases.

Cases are often contained in West and Central Africa however, outbreaks have been reported in many countries in Europe and also the United States which has worried public health experts.

Who is eligible for receiving a vaccination?

Due to the limited supply of the vaccine, it is being offered to those at highest risk first.

Dr Nick Phin, from Public Health Scotland, warned doses were in short supply due to the unexpected surge in demand.

He said: “There’s one manufacturing company that until recently had only been producing sufficient stock for a very limited number of companies. It has now stepped up its production.

“Demand is outstripping supply, and I think the UK has actually been ahead of the game in the amounts we have been able to get. Vaccine stock will continue to be an issue for the UK.”

He said around 3,000 vaccine pre-exposure doses have been allocated to Scotland so far.

These have been allocated to individual health boards across the country who will each be responsible for identifying and offering vaccination to “eligible individuals”.

Dr Phin added: “Health boards are currently identifying eligible individuals for vaccination through sexual health services, who are contacting people proactively, as well as inviting those who meet the criteria who present at their usual appointments.

“If you are currently unvaccinated, please ensure you take additional precautions, are aware of the signs and symptoms, and seek medical advice if you think you may have the infection.”

Scotland’s sexual health services will contact people they believe to be at the highest risk.

Eligibility for the vaccination depends on a person’s sexual activity as this is thought to expose people to a higher probability of contracting the disease.

According to UKHSA guidance, those who have “multiple partners, participates in group sex or attends ‘sex on premises’ venues” may be offered a vaccination appointment.

To find out more, visit NHS Inform. 

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