Mpox vaccines are now available

posted by: Susan Mills

From Jan 2025, Devon Sexual Health will be working with the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s vaccination team to provide mpox vaccination for eligible Devon residents. There will be a number of clinics across different locations in Devon

If you are interested in receiving a vaccination, and meet the eligibility criteria outlined below, contact Devon Sexual Health on 0300 303 3989, or email:  rduh.exetermonkeypoxvaccine@nhs.net 

You are eligible for the mpox vaccine if you:

1. Self-identify as gay, bisexual, transgender, or otherwise having sex with men (GBMSM)

AND

2. Report one or more of the following:
   a. Bacterial STI or primary genital herpes within the past 12 months
   b. Sex in a sex-on-premises venue (sauna, dark room, sex club, etc) within the past 12 months, or anticipate such activity in the next 12 months
   c. Group sex within the past 12 months, or anticipate such activity in the next 12 months
   d. Ten or more sexual partners in the past year, or 3 or more sexual partners in the past 3 months
   e. Eligibility for PrEP for HIV infection in the past year
   f. Are a person living with HIV

For more information on the vaccine please see this link:

What is mpox?

Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close person-to-person contact. Like many diseases caused by a virus, mpox has different types or ‘clades’. There are two major clades of mpox, known as clade 1 and clade 2.

Clade 2 mpox has been present in the UK since 2022. Clade 1 mpox has previously only been reported in five countries in Central Africa but there is now increasing transmission of Clade 1 mpox in several countries in east and central Africa.

Anyone can catch either clade of mpox, as it spreads from person-to-person, through close contact (including intimate or sexual contact) with someone who has the mpox virus, through contact with contaminated materials, such as bed sheets or towels, and contact with infected animals.

Mpox does not spread easily between people unless there is very close contact.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of mpox include:

• A skin rash with blisters, spots or ulcers that can appear anywhere on your body (including your genitals)
• Fever
• Headaches, backache, and muscle aches
• Joint pains
• Swollen glands
• Shivering (chills) and exhaustion

A rash usually appears 1 to 5 days after a fever, headache and other symptoms. The rash (spots, blisters or ulcers) often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body. This can include the mouth, genitals and anus. The number of sores can range from one to several thousand.

If you have recently travelled to any of the affected countries, and have any new spots, blisters or ulcers that have developed within 21 days of returning, please isolate at home and call NHS 111 for advice, letting them know your travel history.

More information

If would like to find out more about mpox , you can find helpful information and updates here:

• Mpox – NHS (www.nhs.uk)