A former health minister has called on the UK Government to extend the mpox vaccine rollout in England.
The programme is due to end in July but Steve Brine, who now chairs the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee, has called for an extension after a spike in cases.
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has shown a small increase in cases in London in the last month.
Mpox – previously known as monkeypox – is a rare infection most commonly found in west or central Africa.
From April last year there was a spike in cases which led to a vaccination programme being introduced for people at higher risk of catching the infection.
Up to December 31 there were 3,732 confirmed and highly probable mpox cases reported in the UK, according to the UKHSA.
Since the start of the year there have only been 21 cases, with the majority in London.
Mr Brine said: “There is anxiety about the ending of the vaccination programme against mpox, especially as the latest figures have shown a rise in the number of cases in London.
“Vaccination is crucial to protect people and keep the number of new cases down.”
In a letter to Health Secretary Steve Barclay, he said he was “concerned” about the closure of the vaccination programme on July 31 as he called for an extension.
The Welsh Government has developed a revised mpox vaccination deployment strategy to ensure everyone eligible is offered a vaccine course.
The eligibility criteria remains unchanged, but under the new strategy, health boards will be required to regularly update their lists to identify people who may recently have become eligible and offer them a vaccine.
If you haven’t had your vaccine yet, and you’re in the eligible groups, you could be at a higher risk of getting mpox.
If you have had contact with sexual health services and are eligible, you will be invited by health boards. People who are unsure about their eligibility, or believe they are eligible are encouraged to come forward, by contacting their local health board.
Health boards will also be sending invites for a second dose to people who have already had a first vaccine.
Maximising vaccination uptake is so important. Those eligible can get their vaccine now. If you are eligible, please come forward so you can enjoy the upcoming festival season and protect yourself, your friends and your loved ones.
Further information on Mpox is available on the Public Health Wales website.
