MPOX Information
You can now book online for your 1st or second doses of Gonorrhoea and MPOX vaccines. There must be a minimum of 28 days between your first and second doses of each vaccine. You will not be able to access any other services through this Vaccine Clinic. New appointments are released weekly so please check back on the website if there are none available. If there are no appointments for online booking there will be no appointments available if you phone in.
What is Mpox?
MPOX is a viral infection. It is related to Smallpox but is not as severe. In the past, infections were seen in central or west Africa and only occasionally in the UK, usually in people who had travelled to Africa.
Since May 2022 some cases have been reported in the UK, Europe and other international countries. Most of the cases in Scotland and the UK (and across Europe) have been reported amongst gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
Community transmission of clade Ib MPOX has been reported for the first time in four European countries (Italy, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands), the USA and Malaysia. Some of these cases have been among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). We would encourage GBMSM to complete an MPOX vaccination course of 2 doses – to reduce the chance of acquiring MPOX if you are in contact with someone who has the virus, or to make the symptoms less severe if you are infected.
You can book your MPOX vaccine appointment here.
How is MPOX transmitted?
MPOX is transmitted by contact with the blisters or ulcers, and by respiratory droplets of an infected person. It isn’t a sexually transmitted infection, but it is passed on by any close contact, including during sex. Touching, hugging, kissing or sharing a bed without sex could also transmit MPOX. Condoms do not always offer protection against MPOX.
What illness does it cause?
MPOX is usually a mild self-limiting illness that causes painful skin lesions, with a high temperature and fever. A blistering rash usually starts 1 to 5 days after other symptoms – the rash may start on the face or in the genital area and may spread to other parts of the body.
We know that in the current outbreak of MPOX, some people have just a single spot or lesion. Some people have presented with inflammation of the rectum (pain and discharge from the anus – called proctitis), sometimes without any rash.
The cases seen in GBMSM in recent years in the UK are a milder form or “clade” of MPOX, and most people have a mild illness and recover fully.
There is a different form/clade of MPOX which can in some cases cause more severe illness, This is now very common in certain parts of Africa and a few cases have been seen in non-GBMSM people returning from these areas.
Why is it affecting GBMSM?
In 2022/2023 the UK has had one of the largest outbreaks of MPOX in Europe. Most but not all of these cases are in GBMSM who have no link to African travel. Most of the cases seen so far in Scotland are in GBMSM.
It seems that these cases were linked to GBMSM networks (socialising, apps, dating etc) even though not all cases are transmitted through sex and sexual contact. Having sex at sex parties, sex-on-premises venues (for example, saunas) or in darkrooms and cruising grounds carries a higher risk of MPOX infection.
Is a vaccine available?
Smallpox vaccine gives some protection against MPOX (Smallpox was eradicated from the world in 1980).
We have been vaccinating GBMSM and other at-risk groups through our clinics since 2022, and this is now part of our routine preventative care.
A second dose gives long-term protection and is given at least 28 days after the first, although it can be delayed for longer than this. A second dose is not needed for people who have previously had a Smallpox vaccination as children (mostly people over the age of 50).
Given a rise in cases of MPOX in Africa and a few cases in the UK among returning travellers, and a fall in numbers of GBMSM linked cases, the vaccine supply we have for routine prevention in GBMSM is variable, and at times we do not have stock.
Where can I find more information on MPOX vaccination?
More details relating to the vaccination programmes can be found at:
Vaccination to help protect against mpox (monkeypox) | NHS inform
NHS Inform mpox vaccine leaflet
UKHSA Information on vaccination
How else can I reduce the risk of MPOX transmission?
While MPOX is rare, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting it:
- Contact our services to book in for a routine vaccination.
- Avoid close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who is unwell and may have MPOX
- Avoid touching the clothes, bedding or towels of a person who may have a MPOX rash
- Avoid coughs and sneezes from a person who may have MPOX
- Practice careful hand hygiene if visiting or caring for ill friends and relatives who may have MPOX. This includes washing your hands with soap and water regularly or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, as you may have come into contact with skin lesions or secretions which might have ended up on your hands.
Does MPOX effect people living with HIV differently?
The current advice is that treatment and care should be the same as for people who are HIV negative. About 40% of all Mopx cases in Europe are in people living with HIV . There have been few cases of serious illness in the current outbreak, including in people living with HIV.
Most people living with HIV in the UK are on treatment and well. The risk of severe illness might be greater for people with a CD4 count<200, also known as an undetectable viral load, a recent HIV related illness, or a viral load over 200 copies/mL. BHIVA has released a statement on HIV and Mpx.
What should I do if I think I have become infected with MPOX?
You should stay home, avoid close contact with others and seek help with medical services via phone until you’re assessed.
Phone your GP if:
• you think that you may have MPOX
• you’ve been in close contact with someone who might have MPOX
• You have a new unexplained rash or lesion on your body, especially the face or genitals.
• If your GP is closed, phone 111. In an emergency phone 999.
Phone your local sexual health clinic if:
• you have genital lesions (for example a blister or sore) and:
• you think that you may have MPOX
• You have a new unexplained rash or lesion on your body, especially the face or genitals.
• you’ve been in close contact with someone who might have MPOX
• If your sexual health clinic is closed, phone your GP. If your GP is closed, phone 111. In an emergency phone 999