Monkeypox: how and where to get second doses of the vaccine at clinics across Greater Manchester

Clinics across Greater Manchester have begun giving out second doses of the monkeypox vaccine.

NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care has been explaining how people who are eligible to receive a second jab will be able to get one at the clinics running throughout October and November. The health body says that more than 2,500 first doses of the vaccine have been given out to Greater Manchester residents.

Those who received their first dose over the summer will now be eligible for another vaccination, as it is recommended that the second jab is done around two to three months after the initial one. A number of appointment-only clinics are running across Greater Manchester to do this, so here is the information you need on being vaccinated against monkeypox.

Where are the monkeypox vaccination clinics and how are they working?

If you are eligible for a second dose of the monkeypox vaccine, in most cases you will be contacted directly by the service you used to book a follow-up appointment. However, the arrangements do differ somewhat across the various sexual health providers in the city-region.

Clinics will be held at a range of times and locations that individuals can choose from. In some cases, people will be able to go back to the clinics where they had their first vaccine, but where this is not possible, other local providers will ensure that people can get vaccinated.

People who received their first dose at the Vaccination Hub in Manchester can arrange a second dose by booking an appointment through the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust website here.

People registered with the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the Bolton Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Shine Sexual Health Service in Salford, will be contacted directly by the provider or the clinic for their second doseAnyone who had their first jab at Salford Royal Hospital will have their second one at Shine Sexual Health Service.

Locala, which runs The Choices Centre in Stockport and The Orange Rooms in Tameside, is providing second jabs and they can be booked through the organisation’s website here. The Northern Sexual Health, based in Manchester, is also allowing people to book appointments and this can be done on the provider’s website here. Spectrum Community Health CIC, a provider based in Wigan, will contact people registered with it and they should wait to be approached.

Anyone registered with HCRG, which provides services in Oldham, Rochdale and Bury, will not be able to book a second appointment directly. Instead they should book an appointment at The Northern or Locala. They can also email the Bolton provider at [email protected] or ring Spectrum on 01942 949167.

The vaccine will, as previously, be available to gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men who are at the highest risk of getting monkeypox. These could include people who have multiple partners, participate in group sex or attend ‘sex on premises’ venues, people with a recent bacterial sexually transmitted infection and those eligible for PREP, the preventative drug for HIV transmission, people who have had recent close contact with someone infected with monkeypox, and healthcare workers caring for and due to start caring for a patient with the virus.

Can I still get a first dose of the monkeypox vaccine?

Anyone who still needs a first dose of the monkeypox vaccine can approach any of the sexual health providers in Greater Manchester directly and book via phone, e-mail or online booking.

People registered with Bolton’s provider should email [email protected] or [email protected] depending on where they live, while for HCRG, Locala and The Northern the arrangements for booking first appointments are identical to those for getting a second dose. Spectrum in Wigan should be rung on 01942 949167 to get an appointment for a first dose.

What has been said about the latest appointment clinics?

Jane Pilkington, director of population health at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care, said: “The recent reports of a decrease in cases of monkeypox across the UK is certainly encouraging and will in part be due to people following advice given such as how to recognise potential symptoms, actions to keep themselves safe and importantly those at the highest risk taking up the vaccine offer, for which I would like to thank them.  

“It is important that, when able to, individuals receive their second dose of the vaccine, two to three months after receiving their first. This helps maximise their protection against the virus, protecting them and those around them. I hope that the opening of further clinics will help people receive their vaccination as easily as possible and allow those eligible to get their second dose to do so sooner. 

“Please remember, that as with any vaccine, it won’t give 100% protection, and won’t be effective straight away, so stay alert for symptoms and call NHS 111 or a local sexual health clinic if you have signs of monkeypox, even if it’s just one spot.”