Rebecca Ruiz: ‘It is our duty to come up with a monkeypox vaccine’ – rts.ch

Faced with monkeypox, the cantons of Vaud and Geneva want to acquire vaccines without waiting for the Confederation. The Vaud State Councilor in charge of Health Rebecca Ruiz explains to RTS that the approach is “legal” and that it “is the duty” of the cantons to offer a vaccine.

The authorities of the cantons of Vaud and Geneva have filed a joint request with the manufacturers, according to Time. The Vaud and Geneva approach is in line with the demands of LGBT associations.

PinkCross, for example, launched a petition on Wednesday asking the Federal Council to act in the fight against the monkey pox epidemic. She regrets that no vaccine or treatment is available in Switzerland, while many other countries have already taken the step.

However, the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) have just received an antiviral as part of the research. For its part, the Federal Office of Public Health (OFSP) has already come out in favor of a centralized purchase of the vaccine. However, the Federal Council has the final say and nothing has been decided yet.

>> Read more: A drug against severe forms of monkeypox tested at HUG

None of the vaccines available on the international market is currently authorized in Switzerland. But the FOPH has already contacted the manufacturer of a vaccine and negotiations are underway.

“Not an illegal step”

“Our approach is not done without the approval of the Confederation, since we have a federal ordinance which allows us this type of approach in specific situations. (…) We are not in an illegal approach”, warns the Head of the Department of Health and Social Action Rebecca Ruiz, Friday in the broadcast of the RTS Forum.

The Vaud State Councilor stresses that the cantons have “a responsibility in terms of public health, since we have a fair number of people affected in the cantons of Vaud and Geneva”.

>> Read also: “The monkeypox caused me unbearable pain, to cry”

“It’s an attempt”

Rebecca Ruiz believes that the “strong” pressure from LGBT associations is justified. She indicates that Vaudoises and Vaudois go to Italy or France to be vaccinated against monkeypox: “It is our duty to offer a vaccine to those who want it.”

However, she specifies that the Vaud and Geneva approach is an “attempt”, and does not wish to make any promises on quantities or prices. Moreover, the question of reimbursement by health insurance is still uncertain. “If the canton were to bear all or part of the cost of the vaccination, it would not be the first time for a treatment”, explains the State Councilor.

Interview by Mehmet Gultas/vajo with ats

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.