LGBTQ+ groups unite to urge UK ministers to act against monkeypox

The government needs to increase efforts to combat monkeypox or it will become endemic in the UK.

Gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men are most affected by monkeypox in the UK. The US declared a public health emergency over the virus on Thursday, a day after the WHO called it a global emergency.

Groups in the UK have urged calm, but now they want the health secretary to act because of monkeypox causing real fear and anxiety.

The letter was signed by the groups for the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Scottish National party.

We can't afford to allow monkeypox to spread in the UK. We are able to stop this outbreak and prevent further risk to health now. We would like you to do so quickly.

The letter signed by sexual health charities said the government should prioritize communication and vaccinations.

We need clear, non-stigmatising messaging, delivered directly to GBMSM about the symptoms of monkeypox and what to do if you suspect you have the virus, instead of the current broadcast-to-all approach.

Targeted messaging on apps, online and in the queer media is needed to reach high risk communities. If we are to prevent the monkeypox from becoming endemic in the UK, we need to make sure those most at risk arevaccinated.

Lloyd said that mass vaccination events can be a driver of inequality when there is an under-supply of jabs. It is time to improve the system and purchase more vaccine.

Improvements to the vaccine effort were called for by the trust. Ceri Smith, the charity's head of policy, called for urgent political action to get a grip on the UK's rapidly rising number of monkeypox cases.

Gay and bisexual men continue to make up the vast majority of cases, which is why we are grateful to the groups from the different political parties who unite to call for a public health response that is proportional to the problem.

Better coordination, increased vaccine procurement, improved delivery, and a cash injection to sexual health services to treat monkeypox will reverse the impact the outbreak is already having on reproductive healthcare services.

As more supplies of a jab became available, the National Health Service stepped up its vaccine programme against monkeypox in London.

Gay and bisexual men at higher risk of exposure to monkeypox should be given the vaccine Imvanex.

The Department of Health and Social Care stated that thousands of monkeypox vaccines have already been administered. Over 150,000 vaccines have been procured by us, and we are working with partners to share targeted, non-stigmatising communications with the gay community.

Local authorities can use the public health grant to invest in sexual health services.