Belgium: The number of instances of monkeypox has been increasing throughout Europe, but as of Tuesday, the numbers appeared to be stabilising, according to Belgium’s public health institution Sciensano.
Koen Blot of Sciensano mentioned during the press conference, “The monkeypox epidemic appears to be more or less stabilising.”
A total of 671 confirmed cases of monkeypox were reported in Belgium on Tuesday. “We now have to wait and see whether there will be a stagnation or even a decline in the figures.”
Three hundred sixty cases have been discovered as of Tuesday, with 54% of them in Flanders, 35% in Brussels, and 11% in Wallonia. Even though monkeypox cannot be transferred sexually, it can still spread through intimate contact.
From a supply of 3,220 vaccinations, 1,153 have been administered in Belgium yet, although it is still unknown if the vaccination campaign is to blame for the data’s stabilisation. Some Belgians have started crossing the border to have their vaccinations in the Netherlands and France due to the limited vaccine availability.
Along with this, the chairperson of the Risk Management Group (RMG)- Stefaan van der Borght, asserted, “The vaccine is not a silver bullet,” as infections may still occur even after vaccination.
“Avoid contact with people with the disease and limit your sexual contact.”
The Superior Health Council of Belgium has not yet given a recommendation regarding the use of intradermal vaccines. Due to a shortage of monkeypox vaccines, several nations have chosen this method of vaccination even though there is now little scientific evidence to support its efficacy.
Only one-fifth of the amount is needed for intradermal vaccinations, although two doses are needed overall, separated by four weeks.
Bavarian Nordic, a Danish vaccine producer, has received an order for 30,000 vaccinations from Belgium. These vaccines are scheduled to arrive in the autumn.
