This week, the number of new cases of Monkeypox in Denmark has totalled 24, which means that the cumulative number of cases so far has reached 105. Men who have heavy skin contact with other men account for most of the cases.
Based on this, the LGBT+ community in Denmark believes that the Sundhedsstyrelsen health authority must adjust its Monkeypox vaccine strategy to provide the vaccine to this group as soon as possible.
“So far the Monkeypox vaccine in Denmark has only been offered to people who have been in contact with an infected person, which we believe is inappropriate,” Susanne Branner Jespersen, the head of the secretariat at LGBT+ Danmark, told DR.
Sundhedsstyrelsen re-evaluating vaccine strategy
Since a carrier of Monkeypox only becomes contagious once they have symptoms, Sundhedsstyrelsen reasons that the virus is not difficult to prevent.
“The policy on the provision of vaccines for the target group of gay men is under professional evaluation. However, a detailed and thorough assessment, both during influenza and COVID-19, is a prerequisite for the vaccine policy to proceed,” Helene Probst, the deputy head of Sundhedsstyrelsen, told DR.
High risk at upcoming Copenhagen Pride
One of the reasons why adjustments to the vaccine policy are being considered is because of the upcoming Copenhagen Pride Week, which starts on August 13, culminating with the Parade on August 20.
“As the number of infections increases, we are concerned about an outbreak, especially with the upcoming Copenhagen Pride,” continued Branner.
Copenhagen Pride is expected to attract thousands of visitors, including visitors from Spain, France and Germany – countries that currently have high numbers of Monkeypox infections.
