- Urges Swift Vaccine Assistance for Monkeypox in Philippi
In the battle against Monkeypox spreading in Africa, Lower Saxony's Health Minister Andreas Philippi (SPD) urgently advocates for rapid and extensive distribution of vaccines. "We need to rally all our resources to aid African nations in combating the Monkeypox outbreak," Philippi stated.
"As many vaccine doses as we can, we should send to Central Africa immediately," he continued. The international community should examine its vaccine reserves and contribute the maximum number of vaccines "without red tape and absolutely free." The federal government should "estimate shortly how many doses we can give and devise a distribution plan, particularly with our European allies," said the minister.
On Thursday, the first confirmed case of Monkeypox from a new variant outside Africa was reported in Sweden. The Swedish individual who contracted Monkeypox had recently been in Africa, where the new Clade I variant was initially detected at the end of 2023. Experts suspect that the subtype - Clade Ib - might be more contagious than previous strains and could lead to more severe cases.
Minister: Western Countries shouldn't stockpile
Containing Monkeypox in Central Africa is the key to preventing further spread, according to Philippi. "Therefore, Western nations should not hoard the vaccine, but instead donate it," he insisted. Philippi doesn't see an immediate threat for Germany or Lower Saxony. "We're well-prepared, but we can't underestimate Monkeypox."
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued the highest level of alert due to Monkeypox outbreaks in Africa and the new, potentially more dangerous variant.
The first confirmed case of the new Monkeypox variant outside Africa was reported in Sweden. This individual had recently travelled to Africa where the variant was initially detected.
In light of the situation, Western nations, including Sweden, should prioritize donating their vaccine supplies to aid in controlling the Monkeypox outbreak in Central Africa.
