Federal Minister of Public Health Frank Vandenbroucke had instructed 12 HIV reference centers to vaccinate risk groups against monkeypox by the end of this week at the latest. Specifically, these are men who have sex with men who are HIV positive or taking HIV preventive treatment (PrEP), and who have had two sexually transmitted diseases in the last 12 months.
Male and transgender sex workers were also included in the target group, as well as people with immune disorders and at high risk of infection. Finally, laboratory personnel handling virus cultures were also asked to be vaccinated. With the exception of people with immune disorders, who will receive a second dose after four weeks, and people who have had high-risk contact with a confirmed case, only a first dose of the vaccine will be given.
A second injection will only follow in the fall, when Belgium will receive a delivery of 30,000 vaccines. By the end of next week, half of the vaccines available should have been administered, which corresponds to 1,500 people receiving a first dose, according to the FPS Public Health.
In addition, 800 vaccines were reserved for male sex workers and 500 vaccines for people who had a high-risk contact.