When can you vaccinate against monkeypox?

TILBURG – The ETZ receives many questions about the vaccination for monkeypox within their HIV expertise center on a daily basis. At the moment, the GGD Hart van Brabant is busy setting up the organization of vaccination. The first vaccinations can probably be done from 6 August. The ETZ will let you know when patients are eligible for vaccination via their website and MijnETZ. Not yet registered for MyETZ? Follow these instructions.

Who is eligible for vaccination?

• Men who take PrEP to prevent HIV infection or who are on the waiting list. The GGD is calling on them for vaccination.
• Men with HIV with an increased risk of STDs and therefore monkeypox. In concrete terms, this means: unprotected sexual contact with other men, other than your regular partner.

Personal invitation

• Vaccination is only possible with a personal invitation from the GGD or the HIV treatment centre. As soon as the GGD is ready, the ETZ will approach their patients.
• In principle, men born before 1975 have had the old smallpox vaccine. It is assumed that a possible monkeypox infection will be milder and that one vaccination is sufficient. Due to the scarcity of vaccines, this group will receive a call later.

Features monkeypox vaccine

• The series consists of two injections with a minimum of four weeks time in between.
• The vaccination is given under the skin (subcutaneously) and does not leave a scar like the earlier smallpox vaccinations.
• It is possible to get side effects from the vaccination. The most common side effects are: a local reaction (pain, redness, swelling) at the injection site, in addition to non-specific complaints such as muscle pain, headache, nausea and fever or increase.

Source: ETZ

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