Monkeypox vaccine arrived in Switzerland

Soon it will also be possible to be vaccinated against monkey pox in Switzerland. The first 4000 cans arrived on 1 November. The army pharmacy will deliver them to the hardest hit cantons from the end of the week.

The cantons are responsible for the vaccination, the Federal Office of Health (BAG) announced on Twitter on Monday. According to the FOPH website, the vaccine will initially be available in the cantons of Zurich, Vaud, Geneva and Basel-Stadt.

The federal government signed a contract with the vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic in mid-October. By the end of the year, Switzerland will receive 40,000 vaccine doses. Another 60,000 cans were purchased for the military. The delivery of these doses will take place in 2023. The BAG will purchase the Jynneos vaccine in collaboration with the army pharmacy.

The vaccine, which is based on a weakened virus, is primarily intended for use in people at high risk.

Together with the Federal Commission on Vaccination Issues, the FOPH recommends vaccination as a preventive measure for men who have sex with men and transgender people with varying sexual partners.

In addition, the vaccine is also recommended as a preventive measure for people exposed to monkeypox for professional reasons, ie medical personnel or workers in special laboratories. According to the federal government, 546 monkey pox cases were registered in Switzerland in early November. (sda)