Monkeypox arrival of vaccines ordered through the European agency HERA

As foreseen in the European common procurement contract, 1,400 doses of vaccine have been delivered to Luxembourg. The vaccines were ordered through HERA, the European Agency for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response.

EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides underlines the effectiveness of the European response: "Since the first cases of monkeypox were identified in the EU in May, the Commission has coordinated a united and decisive response for our member states and our citizens. In total, more than 160,000 doses have been purchased for member states and are being delivered throughout the EU. For the first time, our European Health Emergency Response and Preparedness Authority (HERA) has used EU funds to purchase these vaccines so that they reach member states and citizens as quickly as possible. The delivery of 1,400 doses to Luxembourg today is an important step in the national public health response. We are also providing vital support to member states in terms of surveillance, reporting, vaccination strategies and clear information for our citizens. This is a concrete example of the strength of the European Health Union we are building: having the capacity to act quickly at EU level to protect our citizens from health threats."

Paulette Lenert, Minister of Health, also welcomes the good cooperation at European level: "The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us a lot about health crisis management. We can now put this new knowledge to the test to counteract monkeypox in Europe. I thank the European Commission for its efforts to provide vaccines to its member states to help protect the health of its citizens."

Launch of vaccination by appointment at the National Service for Infectious Diseases (Service national des maladies infectieuses) from 16 August 2022

From Tuesday 16 August, it will be possible to be vaccinated against smallpox at the Service national des maladies infectieuses, located at the Centre hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), by appointment only.

Any person who meets the vaccination criteria defined by the High Council for Infectious Diseases (Conseil supérieur des maladies infectieuses - CSMI) and who is either

  • covered by Luxembourg social security,
  • or has their main residence in Luxembourg,
  • or has Luxembourg nationality,

can make an appointment for the vaccination.

Please note that vaccination is only authorised for adults aged 18 and over.

Booking an appointment

People who meet the criteria can make an appointment with the Service national des maladies infectieuses at the CHL. Appointments can be made from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., exclusively on the following telephone number: (+352) 4411-3129. Appointments can be made from 16 August 2022.

Who can be vaccinated?

Epidemiological data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)  [1] indicate that the virus is currently spreading almost exclusively among men who have intercourse with men, often in relationships without a fixed partner or in relationships outside of partnership. Men who have had intercourse with men and several different partners in recent months should therefore be vaccinated as a priority to protect them and limit the spread of the epidemic to other groups of people.

Following the recommendations of the CSMI, vaccination against monkeypox can be carried out in Luxembourg:

To prevent infection:

  • In men who have intercourse with men reporting multiple sexual partners,
  • In transsexual persons reporting multiple sexual partners,
  • In sex workers.

After exposure to the virus:

Anyone who has been exposed to the monkeypox virus is advised to contact the Health Inspectorate on (+352) 247-85650.

The vaccination schedule

Primary vaccination requires two doses at 28-day intervals and a third dose in an immunocompromised person. A delay of at least 28 days between the 2 doses of vaccine is important to ensure high vaccine efficacy.

If people have any questions about the vaccination or about monkeypox, they can call the Health Helpline on (+352) 247-65533.

 

For further information, please visit: www.variole-singe.lu

 

It is not acceptable to stigmatise someone because of a disease. Everyone is susceptible to contracting or transmitting monkeypox, regardless of their sexual orientation. The risk of infection increases with the number of sexual partners.

[1] https://worldhealthorg.shinyapps.io/mpx_global/[1]

 

Press release by the Ministry of Health

 

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