The HSE is set to open 11 designated monkeypox vaccination centres from next Monday.
The smallpox vaccine, which offers some protection against the monkeypox virus, will be offered to vulnerable or at risk groups. Ireland has secured 2,000 vials of the vaccine to date, with one vial offering as many as five doses of the vaccine.
The goal is for all at risk groups to receive their vaccine by December. The Oireachtas Committee on Health will hear further details about the vaccination campaign later today.
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The rollout of the vaccine is already underway, with the HSE estimating that as many as 13,000 people could benefit from receiving the jab. The European Medical Agency accelerated the rollout back in August after allowing the vaccine to be administered between layers of the skin, which preserves vaccine supply and allows for optimum doses.
There have been 194 cases of the disease recorded in Ireland to date, with 11 people being directly hospitalised as a result of the infection. The majority of cases have presented gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men. However, the HSE has previously stated that the virus could spread amongst wider groups and that complacency should be avoided.
Individuals will be asked to identity their risk of contracting the virus before booking an appointment for the vaccine. 192 out of the 194 cases have been recorded in females and the median age of infection stands at 35 years old.
HIV Ireland have previously criticised the slow rollout of the vaccine amongst at risk groups, calling for further action from health officials. It is estimated that currently about 10 per cent of at risk groups have received vaccine protection from the virus.
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