The Ministry of Health will expand the vaccination points to prevent infection with the mpox (previously known as monkey pox) virus in order to facilitate the accessibility of the vaccine to risk groups.
This measure was adopted during a meeting presided over by the Minister of Health, Marciano Gómez, where it was noted as the main conclusion, taken from the study carried out by the Public Health technicians, that “we are facing a context of normality from the epidemiological point of view”, as confirmed by the minister.
Marciano Gómez has explained that it has been agreed to “increase the points of administration of the vaccine to improve the accessibility of citizens, since vaccination, together with epidemiological surveillance, are the two key pillars to favour the prevention of the disease”.
Currently, it is in the CIPs, provincial information and prevention centres, where the mpox vaccine is administered, and with this initiative the Ministry of Health increases the vaccination points in the Preventive Medicine services of all hospitals in the Valencian Community.
Through the vaccination circuit promoted by the Ministry, people belonging to risk groups will be able to go to their health centre and request a prior appointment for vaccination at their reference hospital.
Amongst the risk groups to whom vaccination is recommended are people who maintain risky sexual practices, especially, but not exclusively, men who have sex with other men, as well as people at risk due to the occupation they have, that is to say, those who work in specialised consultations, laboratory staff or staff in charge of disinfecting surfaces in specific risk premises. In addition to all close contacts who have not passed the disease, fundamentally, people at risk of serious disease and complications and exposed health and laboratory personnel.
At the beginning of July, the Ministry of Health anticipated the current situation by sending an SMS to people undergoing prophylactic treatment recommending immunisation through the vaccine. Thanks to this, it has been verified that the rate of vaccination has increased in the Valencian Community.
Since the first declaration of international emergency declared by the WHO in July 2022, nearly 1,600 people have been protected by vaccination in the Valencian Community.
