On 20th July 2022 the Co Chairs Steve Brine MP, Baroness Barker and Vice Chair Lloyd Russell Moyle MP visited 56 Dean Steet, London, the largest sexual health clinic in the UK.

It has been 2 months since the first cases were reported in the Monkeypox multi-country outbreak, & the # of cases has now crossed 14k globally. The number of cases across the country has risen to more than 2,130, the majority of them in London. We were told that 56 Dean Street have seen 25% of all new cases in the UK and 50% of cases in London.

Monkeypox can infect anyone who has close, physical contact with an infected individual or the person's clothing or bedsheets, regardless of sexual orientation.

Under the guidelines every gay and bisexual man should be offered the vaccine. To have full coverage everyone should have two doses.

Monkeypox is still a serious public health challenge, and we urge contacts to take a break from any activities or events involving skin to skin contact, including sex, hugging and kissing, to reduce the risk of the virus being passed on unknowingly.

On Saturday, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, declared the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern.

Seve Brine MP – Co Chair said:

“We were told by the doctors at 56 Dean St that Monkeypox is hitting all their services. Their normal services have been cut by 25% as they have had to divert to tackling the growing number of cases.

“They are urging the government and UKHSA to act urgently in addressing this issue and to put a plan in place, as the current situation every clinic and GP service are doing their own thing.

“The 100,000 doses announced by the Minister is welcomed, but we need more if we are to vaccinate every man who has sex with men.

“Dean Street sexual health clinic in London has over 40,000 eligible patients on their books alone, each one requiring a double dose.

“We have called for an urgent meeting with the Minister to urge the Government to act now, to get more vaccines, financial support to clinics and setting up testing and vaccination hubs across the UK”

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