The Dutch government has announced that it will soon start vaccinating gay men, transsexuals and sex workers at high risk of contracting monkeypox.
Priority in vaccination will be given to 2,000 people who use or are in use of the drug “PrEP”, which provides protection against the HIV virus.
The Dutch health authority is concerned that the monkeypox virus, which he says occurs mostly among gay men in the country, may increase during the pride parade that will take place in Amsterdam at the end of the month.
COVERED DURING THE FETISH FESTIVAL
In the Netherlands, 402 people have been diagnosed with the monkeypox virus so far. It was determined that the majority of these people contracted the disease during the ‘fetish festival’ held in Antwerp, Belgium in May.
According to experts, the number of cases is increasing day by day. The Dutch Institute of Public Health and Environment (RIVM) warned that the monkeypox virus epidemic could spread further during the world-famous Pride Amsterdam (Pride Amsterdam) and honor events in other cities, which will take place from 30 July to 7 August.
VACCINE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE
The Dutch Ministry of Health, in line with the recommendation of the RIVM, decided to vaccinate risk groups against the monkeypox virus.
Health Minister Ernst Kuipers stated that 2,000 people in Amsterdam will be vaccinated, using the drug “PrEP”, which primarily provides protection against the HIV virus that causes AIDS.
The 2,000 men and transgender people who use PrEP or are on the waiting list are at high risk for monkeypox, according to health authorities.
Monkeypox vaccine will be administered to approximately 32 thousand people. It was stated that these are high-risk people, such as gay men, transsexuals and sex workers, who are HIV-infected or at high risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
Persons included in this group will be invited by health institutions, and two doses of smallpox vaccine will be administered at four-week intervals. Smallpox vaccine also provides protection for monkeypox patients.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 7,000 cases of monkeypox virus have been detected in 58 countries. 80% of these cases originate from Europe.
The organization will hold a review meeting later this month on whether to declare a global crisis of monkeypox virus disease. The disease is currently at the highest alert level for WHO.