Southwark’s MPs are urging the government to secure more Monkeypox vaccines for the borough, which has the second highest case rate in the country.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are particularly vulnerable and, with 5% identifying as gay or lesbian, Southwark has one of the UK’s largest gay communities.
Data released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that Southwark has the second highest cases (198) in the country surpassed only by Lambeth (283), as of August 8.
Guys’ and St Thomas’ monkeypox walk-in clinics abruptly cancelled
Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood has written to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay warning of a looming crisis.
In a letter to Mr Barclay, she wrote: “You will be aware that Lambeth and Southwark currently have the highest incidence of Monkeypox virus infections anywhere in the country.
“I am very concerned that the shortage is affecting the delivery of second doses of the vaccine, which are necessary to ensure the effective level of immunity.”
She has asked Mr Barclay to explain how he will secure vaccine supplies for Lambeth and Southwark and whether second doses will be delivered “in a timely manner”.
After the first case was announced at Guys’ and St Thomas’ Hospital in May, the UK procured over 100,000 vaccines.
But so far only 50,000 have been distributed, with the NHS warning that the remaining 100,000 won’t be available until September.
Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, said: “Ministers have been AWOL in a health crisis and appear to have learnt next to nothing from Covid. We entered the pandemic with insufficient staff or protective equipment and the UK has paid a huge price in the loss of loved ones and economically.
“Sadly, Ministers have not yet secured enough supply of monkeypox vaccines to meet demand and people are being left at risk as a result. The NHS is able and willing to vaccinate the people at risk but are not provided with enough vaccines.”
Vaccine strategy was criticised after Guys’ and St Thomas’ scheduled a walk-in clinic for the weekend of August 6, before cancelling it at short notice.
Greg Owen, founder of iwantPrEPnow, a sexual health organisation, told the News the vaccine roll-out had been a “shambolic mess”.
UKHSA and the Department for Health and Social Care have been approached for comment.