- The request for Mpox vaccinations in Berlin has experienced a significant surge.
Following the rapid spread of the viral disease Mpox in Africa, there's been a substantial surge in people seeking vaccinations at the Berlin Center for Sexual Health. As per Jascha Sallmann from the Mitte district administration, who spoke to the German Press Agency, roughly 20 to 40 individuals are being vaccinated against Mpox each week. It's crucial to emphasize that Germany and Berlin haven't encountered a similar scenario. The situation remains under control.
Since 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been reporting an increase in infections caused by the Mpox clade I virus, including a new variant Ib, in Africa. Till now, no clade I cases have been detected in Germany, according to the Robert Koch Institute. The recent outbreaks of Mpox in Central Africa and the potentially more dangerous variant - clade Ib - have prompted the WHO to declare the highest level of alert.
Increased demand for counseling
"Since the WHO announcement, there has been a significant increase in counseling needs related to Mpox," stated Sallmann. The center's services are specifically designed to assist individuals without health insurance and provide care for high-risk patients, such as men who have sex with men and frequently switch partners.
Since the beginning of the year, 37 cases of Mpox have been identified in Berlin. Compared to 2022, the number of cases remains relatively low, as reported in the current epidemiological weekly report by the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso). All cases are linked to clade II. According to current knowledge, clade I is associated with more severe disease courses than clade II, as reported by the RKI.
No upfront payment for vaccination starting Monday
Insured individuals can receive the vaccination in a doctor's office as usual, said Oliver Fey, spokesman for the Berlin Health Administration. Starting September 1, patients will no longer have to pay upfront. Previously, they had to pay in advance and then reclaim the money from their health insurance providers due to a lack of contract between the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) and the health insurance companies. A resolution has now been reached, as announced by KV Berlin on Thursday.
The Pox vaccine Imvanex is currently in abundance, explained Fey. In the event of a vaccine shortage, Berlin currently stores around 330 packs of 20 vaccine doses of the not EU-approved vaccine Jynneos. However, these doses are under the control of the federal government and are not at Berlin's disposal.
Mode of transmission
Skin-to-skin contact is the primary mode of Mpox transmission, primarily through close skin-to-skin contact during sex or close hugging, massaging, and kissing, as detailed by the RKI. There's a heightened risk of infection from individuals displaying rashes, wounds, or scabs. Mpox is a shortened term for the English word Monkeypox for Affenpocken (monkey pox). The virus was first identified in monkeys, hence the name.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has reported no cases of the more severe clade I Mpox virus in Germany as of yet. Due to the recent WHO announcement and the increase in counseling needs related to Mpox, individuals without health insurance and high-risk patients, such as men who have sex with men, are being assisted at the Berlin Center for Sexual Health, which is under the supervision of the RKI.
