Residents are being reassured that there are sufficient supplies of Monkeypox vaccines on the Isle of Wight, in light of the UK shortage.
A national shortage of Monkeypox vaccines has sparked a slowdown and pause in UK rollout of vaccinations, however, Cllr Karl Love, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, Public Health, has reassured Islanders that the authority has enough supplies of the Monkeypox vaccine to see them through, until additional supplies can be sourced.
Monkeypox on the Island
Explaining that some cases of Monkeypox had been confirmed on the Isle of Wight (under five), Cllr Love added,
“It is important that Islanders understand that they are not immune to Monkeypox and must take actions where possible to safeguard themselves.
“It was inevitable that cases would occur as this virus is spreading throughout the world and UK. “So far there have been 3,017 cases across the UK.
“The latest data suggests that the outbreak is beginning to slow, however a shortage of vaccine will not help the situation.”
Situation being closely monitored
Cllr Love went on to explain that he’s in close contact with the Director of Public Health, Simon Bryant, about the situation which is being closely monitored.
He added,
“We continue to support awareness campaigns about the symptoms and how to access testing and vaccination for Monkeypox.
“If you suspect that you might have Monkeypox please call 111 to get advice.
“Please don’t just turn up at the hospital, doctors or NHS sexual health services without first warning them of your suspicions.”
At risk groups
The World Health Organisation explains that anyone who has close contact with someone who has symptoms is at risk of Monkeypox.
The risk of monkeypox is not limited to people who are sexually active or men who have sex with men. Anyone who has close contact with someone who has symptoms is at risk.
Many of the cases that have been reported in this outbreak have been identified among men who have sex with men. Given that the virus is currently moving from person to person in these social networks, men who have sex with men may currently be at higher risk of being exposed if they have close contact with someone who is infectious.
No room for stigmatisation and discrimination
Cllr Love added,
“One complexity is that gay and bisexual men have been and still remain, a marginalised community where there is still, for many, a nervousness and lived experience of hatred.
“We have faced stigmatisation and discrimination, particularly during the HIV/Aids pandemic as I well know, but it’s important that we take action to communicate and inform ourselves and others about this Monkeypox Virus.”
Love: We need the whole Island population to pull together and be supportive
Cllr Love finished by saying,
“We will not sit quietly on our Island watching this epidemic unfold when we can help reduce the impacts and protect our whole Island community.
“We need the whole Island population to pull together and be supportive as we would be in any other health emergency and outbreak. Please keep talking to your family about staying safe and sexual relationships.”
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Image: © With kind permission of Allan Marsh
