Denmark to offer vaccination to close contacts of monkeypox cases
The Danish Health Authority is to offer vaccination to persons who have been in close contact with confirmed cases of monkeypox, it said on Tuesday.
Senior medical consultant and departmental director with the Health Authority, Bolette Søborg, confirmed the decision to broadcaster DR.
The move comes following the first case of the virus in Denmark was reported on Monday and a second case early on Tuesday.
READ ALSO: Monkeypox in Denmark: what causes it, and is it serious?
“The Danish Health Authority will offer vaccination to persons in close contact with infected individuals. The vaccine will be given after exposure to the virus and reduces the risk of serious illness,” Søborg said.
The vaccine that will be offered is produced by Danish company Bavarian Nordic, the health authority said.
The Bavarian Nordic vaccine is approved for vaccination against chickenpox in Denmark, but for monkeypox.
It is nevertheless suitable for vaccinating against monkeypox, according to the health authority, which also noted that it will only be administered by senior doctors specialised in infectious diseases.
Neither the Health Authority nor the Ministry of Health have commented on whether extra vaccines will be ordered. The ministry must approve any order.
Health authorities in Denmark do not expect a large scale outbreak of the virus.
Comments
See Also
Senior medical consultant and departmental director with the Health Authority, Bolette Søborg, confirmed the decision to broadcaster DR.
The move comes following the first case of the virus in Denmark was reported on Monday and a second case early on Tuesday.
READ ALSO: Monkeypox in Denmark: what causes it, and is it serious?
“The Danish Health Authority will offer vaccination to persons in close contact with infected individuals. The vaccine will be given after exposure to the virus and reduces the risk of serious illness,” Søborg said.
The vaccine that will be offered is produced by Danish company Bavarian Nordic, the health authority said.
The Bavarian Nordic vaccine is approved for vaccination against chickenpox in Denmark, but for monkeypox.
It is nevertheless suitable for vaccinating against monkeypox, according to the health authority, which also noted that it will only be administered by senior doctors specialised in infectious diseases.
Neither the Health Authority nor the Ministry of Health have commented on whether extra vaccines will be ordered. The ministry must approve any order.
Health authorities in Denmark do not expect a large scale outbreak of the virus.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.