Monkeypox vaccine rolled out in Greater Manchester as cases rise

The monkeypox vaccine programme is being rolled out in Manchester, the city's public health leader has confirmed. The news comes as the number of cases of the virus have topped 2,000 across the country.

As of 18 July 2022, the latest figures available, there were 2,137 confirmed cases in the UK, according to the UK Health Security Agency ( UKHSA ) - of these, 2,050 are in England. From May 6 to July 18, the number of laboratory confirmed monkeypox cases stood at 115 in the North West.

Following the figures, Manchester City Council has confirmed that the borough is rolling out the smallpox jab being used to protect against monkeypox. A smallpox vaccine is being offered to close contacts with higher risk exposure on a case by case basis, says the UKHSA.

READ MORE:Stop turning up to A&E with 'stubbed toes' because you can't get a GP appointment, urges paramedic

"On the horribly described monkeypox, I think we're about over 2,000 cases in the country, the majority in London. I do notice that they've got a vaccination programme in London and all this is about planning and prevention," said Harpurhey Councillor Pat Karney in this week's health scrutiny committee.

"We have started delivering the vaccine programme around monkeypox locally. Small numbers, but we'll have a detailed report for committee," replied David Regan, the Director of Public Health for Manchester.

UKHSA guidance for close contacts of a confirmed monkeypox case has recently been updated. This means close contacts won’t need to isolate at home if they don’t have symptoms.

The change is being implemented after latest data shows 'that a relatively small number of close contacts have gone on to develop monkeypox and a lack of evidence of transmission outside