This page is available in the following languages:

ES

PT

PL

MPOX 2025:
what we know so far

As the world – and our queer communities – come to grips with yet *another* outbreak, we’ve created this resources page with the latest information. We are still learning more about MPOX (formerly known as monkeypox), how it is transmitted, and how it is affecting us; so keep an eye out on this page while we update it, and you, regularly.

Headlines - updated 11th February 2025

  • Only eight cases of the new MPOX variant have been discovered in the UK 

  • The overall risk level in the UK remains low

  • If you haven’t had your first or second vaccine yet, you can get them at your next regular checkup at a sexual health clinic, or you can find one from here

  • Third doses (booster shots) are currently not recommended

  • This is a developing situation, so the advice below may change as and when new information arises

All about MPOX.

  • What is MPOX?

    MPOX (formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious disease that, until 2022, was mostly seen in parts of West and Central Africa. It spreads through skin to skin contact, often as part of sex, and can cause fevers, headaches, nausea, and distinctive lesions that can lead to scarring. 

    A major outbreak of MPOX occurred in the summer of 2022, when the variation known as Clade II spread across the globe, mostly  in sexual networks of gay, bi, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM), including in the UK. Since then, thanks to a massive effort from the community and a targeted vaccination programme, we’ve managed to lower the rate of transmission of MPOX in the UK, so very few people are discovered to have the infection. 

  • Why is MPOX back in the news?

    Inequalities between richer nations and the Global South means that access to vaccines has not been universal, and there is considerable demand but a lack of supply in the countries where MPOX remains common. Between 2023 and 2024, there was a 160% rise in the number of cases discovered in Africa. 

    Some of these nations, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have suffered severe disruption in healthcare networks due to war and exploitation, making MPOX testing, treatment, and vaccination programmes much more challenging to implement.

  • What is the new variant Clade 1b?

    On 14th August 2024, the World Health Organisation declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in relation to a rise in cases of a new variant of MPOX in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with further cases discovered in several surrounding nations - including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. 

    This newer variant is known as Clade 1b, and as with Clade II, also appears to be transmitted through close contact, including during sex. However, the available evidence suggests that not only can it be transmitted more easily, but can make people sicker, compared to Clade II infections. 

    At the time of writing, only a few cases of Clade 1b have been discovered outside of Central Africa, including eight in the UK. Most of these cases are related to people who had recently travelled to Central Africa, or are household contacts of people who had done so. 

  • Am I at risk from the new variant?

    Clade II - the dominant variant transmitted in 2022 - mostly affected gay and bi men,  and other men who had sex with other men (GBMSM). Research suggests that additionally  sex workers and children are being significantly affected by the Clade 1b outbreak in the DRC. 

    Because Clade Ib and Clade II are genetically similar, it is thought that the MPOX vaccine will provide a high degree of protection from getting severely ill or hospitalised if you’re exposed to the virus, regardless of which variant it is. This means if you received one or two doses at some point since the summer of 2022, you are likely to be effectively protected against Clade Ib. 

    The targeted vaccination programme in the UK means that many people who would be at risk of MPOX infection are very well protected against illness, and hospitalisation. For this reason, at the time of writing, if you’re a GBMSM in the UK, and you’ve received two doses of the MPOX vaccine, your likelihood of being impacted by Clade 1b MPOX is low.

  • Who in the UK is at risk?

    If you have recently travelled from the DRC or neighbouring countries AND you’ve had sex there or think you may have come into close contact with someone with MPOX symptoms - this includes being in the same household - you may be at a higher risk of having been exposed to Clade 1b MPOX. This is also true if you’re a close contact of someone who fits the above description.

    If this is the case, you should look out for symptoms of MPOX (a skin rash or pus-filled lesions, fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes) and contact NHS 111 for further advice. In doing so, you should make sure to share with the person on the phone your recent travel history, as well as if you’re immunocompromised, and whether you’ve had zero, one, or two doses of the MPOX vaccine. You should also make sure to self-isolate as much as possible, and to not share towels, bedding, and clothing with others in your household.

  • What if I haven’t had my first or second vaccine?

    Research has shown that vaccinated individuals experienced far less severe symptoms of MPOX if they were exposed to MPOX and transmission occurred. 

    This means - if you’re eligible -  it’s still a great idea to go and get your first or second shot if you haven’t yet done so, and the best way to do this is enquire at your next routine sexual health clinic appointment. There’s still  a good supply of vaccines available in the UK with more along the way.

All about the vaccine.

  • Am I eligible for a vaccine?

    You are entitled to a course of MPOX vaccination if you are part of any of the following communities: 


    ● Gay/bi/queer men who are having sex

    ● Trans men, trans women, and non-binary people assigned male at birth (AMAB) who are having sex with men

    ● Men who have sex with other men who don’t identify as gay, bi, or queer, such as DL men. 

    Vaccination is especially encouraged if you visit sex on premises venues such as saunas or backrooms, or engage in group sex or sex parties.

  • Where are vaccines available?

    Vaccines are slowly being made available across the UK at sexual health clinics, although you may need to travel to a larger town or city to receive one. Use the following search functions to find places offering the vaccine – you may need to contact the clinics directly to confirm they have shots available.  

    England

    Scotland

    Wales

    Northern Ireland

  • What does the vaccine course look like?

    If you are eligible, you will be offered two shots of the MPOX vaccine, the second of which you can receive at any time at least 28 days after the first shot. 

    It’s important to know that the MPOX vaccine doesn’t offer immediate protection – after the first shot, you’ll be at your most protected after around four weeks. After your second shot, you’ll be most protected after two weeks. 

    While the vaccine is highly effective at preventing serious illness and hospitalisation, it is important to remember that no vaccine is 100% effective with everyone. Be aware of the symptoms of MPOX and get tested for other STIs regularly.

  • Do I need a third shot?

    Going by current advice, you do not need a third shot (unless someone is immunocompromised, in which case a third vaccine might be recommended). There is some evidence to suggest immunity levels could be boosted by a third dose of the MPOX vaccine two years after the first two doses of vaccine. However, third doses are not currently widely offered. 

    With the vaccine supplies currently available, it is important to also consider there are people who are eligible for the vaccine, and who may not have had their second or even first shot.

  • What are the side effects?

    The most common side effects of the vaccine are itching and pain at the injection site, with some muscle ache or tiredness. This is perfectly normal and will usually go away after a few days. 1 in 10 people may experience chills and fever, but as with the more common effects, this will subside after a few days. 

    Some people may experience very rare side effects, like difficulty breathing or a swollen tongue, immediately after the vaccine is given to them. For this reason, you might be asked to wait for 15 minutes in a waiting room after the vaccine is given.

  • How will the vaccine be given?

    You can either receive the vaccine intradermally or subcutaneously.

    An intradermal vaccine is where the vaccine is injected between the top layers of the skin, usually on the forearm. This usually requires a smaller dose per shot than an injection delivered subcutaneously, making this the most likely way you’ll receive the MPOX vaccination. 

    In a subcutaneous injection, the vaccine is injected into the fat layer underneath the skin on the back of your upper arm, where the tricep is. This is how most other vaccinations are delivered.

  • Is one kind of vaccine better than the other?

    No matter the administration, the vaccine works. But you may wish to receive the injection subcutaneously if you are under 18, have ever had keloid scars, or if you have a weakened immune system (a CD4 count below 200). 

    Most people living with HIV, and with an undetectable viral load, are able to take the vaccine intradermally.

What happens next?

  • Staying Aware

    As the situation evolves, we need to stay aware of what MPOX symptoms look like, and check back on trusted sources in case the advice for how we should respond as individuals and communities changes.

    So far, the eight cases of Clade 1b discovered in the UK consist of five people who had recently travelled to areas in Central Africa where community transmission is occurring, and three of their immediate household contacts. There is no record of any further community transmission of Clade 1b occurring in the UK. This means that if you get MPOX in the UK, it’s much more likely to be the Clade II variant. 

  • Looking out for symptoms

    We can look out for the symptoms of MPOX on our own body and take a break from sex until we’ve had it checked out by a medical professional.

    We can look out for the symptoms of MPOX on other people’s bodies, and respectfully and gently ask them if the symptoms are new, or if they’ve noticed them before. We can do this kindly: many of us have pre-existing skin conditions, birthmarks, or spots, and we’re already self-conscious about them.

    Remember that the symptoms of Clade Ib and Clade II MPOX are very similar, and without a specific test from medical professionals, you will not know which variant you may have been exposed to.

  • Beyond our own context

    Our response to the public health emergency issued by the WHO will determine how Clade 1b spreads globally, and the degree to which it will impact us. This means that healthcare systems in the UK and Europe are staying alert to the possibility of “import cases”, where people travelling from affected regions may not realise they have been exposed to MPOX, and may then expose others. 

    Moreover, the focus is, and ought to be, on the affected regions in Central Africa. We’ve already mentioned that many of the nations where MPOX is endemic have suffered under enormous healthcare inequalities, including a chronic undersupply of vaccines - including the MPOX vaccine. A comprehensive response to the threat of Clade 1b must begin with an attempt to eliminate endemic MPOX from the region, which will involve an upscaling in testing, treatment, and vaccine outreach efforts, as well as addressing the roots of broader healthcare inequalities.

View our assets.

 

Mobiliser t-shirts

Helpful guides.

  • The MPOX Gay Guide: tips & tricks by and for our queer communities

    Bite-sized helpful ways to work together to educate, activate and organise! Produced together with MPact.

  • MPOX – information for festivals, Pride events, and large gatherings

    We've produced guidance for festivals, Pride events and other large gatherings with the European Pride Organisers Association.

  • Navigating MPOX – considerations for gay and bisexual men 

    We've worked together with the European Centre for Disease Control and MPact to provide this new briefing.

  • Important information for London gay venues, promoters, and sex on premises venues.

    We’ve worked with UKHSA and local authority public health teams on this guidance for sex on premises venues.

Watch the livestreams.

Want to know what's happening with MPOX?
Join us, with colleagues from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), for these livestream community panel.

 
 
 

Aired on: Thursday 26 May 2022 at 6.30pm.

Aired on: Wednesday 8 June 2022 at 6.30pm

Aired on: Wednesday 20 July 2022 at 6.30pm

Podcasts.

What The Pox? | MPOX stories and resources by QueerAF.
In this podcast, Martin Joseph speaks to experts, people who've had the virus and those who see this outbreak as part of a bigger picture.

 

Resources.

Under-the-radar (UTR) case studies

In summer 2022 The Love Tank started to work with clinical partners to provide MPOX vaccine in community settings. We called these under-the-radar or UTR events – as many were not advertised in advance, or widely. We present case studies and key-learning from each of these events.

 
Previous
Previous

THNX: your friendly, peer-led, transgender harm reduction and needle exchange project!

Next
Next

MenB: A gonorrhoea vaccine?