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The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) on Tuesday recommended that the Imvanex vaccine be offered to gay and bisexual men who are at a higher risk of developing monkeypox.
in reportThe UKHSA explains that the vaccine in question has been shown to be effective against the virus and that a doctor can recommend it to men who “have multiple sexual partners, participate in sexual groups or frequent places of prostitution”.
UKHSA Immunology Team Leader Mary Ramsay says: By introducing the vaccine, health authorities hope to be able to break the chains of transmission of the virus.
Monkeypox is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease, but the virus can be transmitted through close contact during sexual contact. Anyone can get smallpox, but the agency notes that the data shows higher levels of transmission within the gay and bisexual men community, albeit “not exclusively.”
As of Monday, 793 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the UK. And in Portugal, seven new cases were discovered this Tuesday, bringing the total number of infected people to 304.
Monkey pox. Portugal records seven new cases, and the total number rises to 304
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the name given to the disease caused by monkeypox, monkeypox, would soon be changed, after 22 experts challenged the name of the virus and suggested a new nomenclature should be applied.
Monkeypox: Experts want to change the disease’s name to a less “discriminatory” term, and the World Health Organization confirms the change
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed that international partners and experts were discussing the best way to change the name of the virus, its variants and the disease it causes “as quickly as possible”.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.