Monkeypox: Irish government buys extra 15,000 vaccines

The HSE has secured an additional 15,000 vaccines in order to treat the ongoing monkeypox crisis in Ireland.

Further appointments will be made available for uptake of the vaccine in November, with vaccine appointments remaining fully booked up for October.

The vaccines were bought by the Irish government after reaching a deal with Danish biotechnology company Bavarian Nordic. The vaccines, which are used to treat smallpox, offer some protection against the emerging monkeypox virus for at risk groups (usually MSM, men who have sex with men).

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, confirmed that the deal with the manufacturer would see 5,000 of the vaccines issued in Ireland before the end of the year while 10,000 other vaccines are set to be supplied next year.

The Minister stated in a press release: “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.”

The HSE originally estimated that between 6,000 to 13,000 people who could benefit from receiving the vaccine.

There are currently 200 registered cases of the disease in Ireland, with symptoms including muscle aches, painful rashes and swollen lymph nodes.

HIV Ireland and other activist groups criticised the rollout of the vaccine as being too slow in recent months, considering the quicker response of other countries like the UK and Germany.

"ACT UP Dublin welcomes long overdue launch of wider accessibility of MPX vaccines for those at risk," the organisation tweeted on October 17. "We note self-referral for vaccination and provision of initial single dose to increase access is a U-Turn of original plans. We recommended this months ago."

ACT UP Dublin welcomes long overdue launch of wider accessibility of MPX vaccines for those at risk.

We note self-referral for vaccination & provision of initial single dose to increase access is a U-Turn of original plans

We recommended this months ago https://t.co/lLSc8MJ65O

— ACT UP Dublin (@ActUpDublin) October 17, 2022

There was also criticism in regards to nurses being excluded from the Strategic Advisory Group for Monkeypox by Dr John Gilmore.

I asked @DonnellyStephen @FrankFeighan why no representation of Nurses (largest health workforce) on Strategic Advisory Group for Monkeypox

Answer less than satisfactory - Nurses should be represented on every strategic health related group @CMOIreland @INMO_IRL @chiefnurseIRE pic.twitter.com/PsdHasFBC5

— Dr John Gilmore (@GilmoreJNurse) October 11, 2022

There are now several vaccine centres nationwide, including the Mater, St James and St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin. Those in other counties and rural areas, and marginalised communities, have less access to vaccines.

The vaccine is administered in two doses, given 28 days apart from each other. The vaccine can now be given intradermally, meaning that a greater amount of people can receive a dose from a single vaccine vial.

The HSE claims it hopes to have all high priority groups for the disease vaccinated by the end of 2022.

Bookings and queries about eligibility can be made via the HSE’s online portal.