merrion street

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD has today announced that the State, through the HSE, has reached a deal with Bavarian Nordic for the supply of 15,000 monkeypox vaccines. The procurement provides a significant boost to the immunisation programme currently underway amid a global shortage of vaccine supply.

Under the terms of the agreement with the manufacturer, 5,000 vaccines will be delivered this year with the remaining 10,000 doses due to be delivered next year.

The HSE is providing primary prevention vaccination to those likely to benefit most through designated centres across the country in line with National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommendations. Individuals are asked to self-identify their risk of infection and where they deem it appropriate, book a vaccine appointment. Demand for the vaccine has been high and all currently available vaccine appointments have now been booked. A significant number of additional appointments will open for booking next month. 

Minister Donnelly said: “It is heartening to see the demand for monkeypox vaccines among the population that would benefit most and I’m encouraging those who haven’t yet had the opportunity, to book an appointment in the coming weeks when they become available.

“This deal with Bavarian Nordic allows us to significantly expand the immunisation programme and to deliver the best available protection against monkeypox to at-risk groups.”

ENDS 

Notes to Editor 

Monkeypox can affect anyone, but currently most cases have been in men who are gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men. It’s estimated that between 6,000 and 13,000 people could benefit from vaccination.

Monkeypox vaccines are recommended for people in these categories if they:

• Have been diagnosed with a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past 6 months
• Have been diagnosed with genital herpes for the first time in the past 6 months
• Have had 3 or more sexual partners in the past 3 months
• Have had group sex in the past 6 months
• Have had sex in a sex-on-premises venue in the past 6 months