In Germany, a total of 1,490 Monkeypox cases have been registered since the outbreak commenced in May. Next week, the first vaccinations are supposed to be administered in Berlin.
Berlin, July 9th, 2022 (The Berlin Spectator) — The Coronavirus and the Monkeypox virus have one thing in common: They are viruses that infect people. Other than that, the difference could hardly be bigger. For instance, there is no Monkeypox pandemic, and according to experts there won’t be. The Monkeypox are a lot easier to contain. Still, the number of infections is on the rise in Germany.
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Skyrocketing Numbers
It started in May. Nobody has an answer to the question why there is a growing number of Monkeypox infections among persons who have not travelled to Western or Central Africa, regions in which the virus has been spreading for a long time. On May 22nd, 2022, three Monkeypox cases were confirmed in Germany. On May 29th, there were 18 of them. By June 1st, the number had increased to 33. Only days later, on June 8th, there were 80 infections.
At this point, the number of cases skyrocketed. By June 11th, it had doubled again, on June 22nd there were 469 infections in Germany. As many as 838 Monkeypox cases were confirmed by June 29th. Now, another ten days later, the official number is 1,490. Berlin has been Germany’s Monkeypox hotspot all along.
Elevated Risk
“In this outbreak, the transmittal mainly takes place within the scope of sexual activities, especially among men who have sexual contacts with other men”, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) says in its latest report on the Monkeypox situation in Germany. “So far, only one female case has been reported.” Children are not affected at all. Most affected persons do not experience severe disease progressions, according to the RKI.
Now, the city state of Berlin wants to start vaccinating people. Since there is not that much vaccine, only persons with an elevated risk of infection are supposed to be immunized. Individuals who definitely should not get infected, because of pre-existing conditions, will be protected too. That is why the vaccinations will be offered at doctor’s offices who treat patients who are HIV positive. For now, twenty-two of them will take part in the vaccination effort. Berlin’s approach was coordinated with the German Health Ministry located in the same city.
Free of Charge
Some hospitals will be offering Monkeypox vaccinations as well, in their infectiology wards. They include the Charité, the St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Vivantes Auguste Viktoria Clinic. In addition, the health authority in Berlin’s Mitte district is involved. The vaccinations will be administered free of charge. It is up to doctors to decide whether a person gets vaccinated or not. Germany’s Permanent Vaccination Commission recommends Monkeypox immunizations for contact persons of infected individuals and people with an elevated infection risk.
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