There is a first death in Belgium linked to the monkeypox vaccine. That let Sciensano know. It would be a person with underlying health problems. In the meantime, the vaccination can be scaled up. Thanks to 1,500 vaccines on loan from the Netherlands and a new technique, 6,000 extra Belgians will be able to receive a vaccine.
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) released encouraging reports about the monkeypox virus situation. There are indications that the outbreak in Europe and the United States is slowing down. In Europe, 22,000 infections are said to have already been diagnosed, worldwide there are more than 50,000 cases.
Outbreak slows
“There is encouraging early evidence, as proven in France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, the UK and other countries, that the outbreak appears to be slowing,” WHO regional director Hans Kluge said earlier this week. VRT NWS. “To move towards elimination in our region, we urgently need to increase our efforts.”
In the meantime, there is less good news from our country. This is the first time a Belgian person has died from the virus. It would be someone with underlying medical problems. A total of 706 cases have already been identified in our country, of which about 32 have ended up in hospital. The number of new cases seems to be declining recently.
Vaccines from the Netherlands and new technology
There is better news when it comes to vaccinations against the monkeypox virus. There are currently 1,565 vaccines administered. Another 150 vaccinations have been scheduled. Our country will receive a delivery of 30,000 vaccines this autumn, but they may have to wait a little longer. That is why, in the meantime, Belgium will receive 1,500 vaccines on loan from the Netherlands, which will be returned later.
These new vaccines will be administered just under the top layer of the skin, instead of deep under the skin, using a new technique. As a result, only one fifth of the amount of a vaccine is needed as before. In this way, even more risk groups can be vaccinated even faster.