There has been harsh criticism from the LGBTIQ community at the Ministry of Health over how the monkeypox, which is currently spreading, is being addressed. The accusation: Little information about the disease and too little vaccine, far too little being done – and the same mistakes repeated as in the corona pandemic.
On August 1, 132 cases of monkey pox were reported in Austria. “Compared to other countries, the number of confirmed cases of monkey pox in this country is still at a lower level,” said the Ministry of Health Johannes Rauch (Greens). A first vaccine delivery has already taken place, with 2300 doses. Another is expected, it said. Vaccination by the National Vaccination Commission is currently only recommended for certain risk groups.
“No comprehensive response to monkeypox outbreaks”
These are far too few actions for the LGBTIQ community (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, intersex and queers). “There is no comprehensive information campaign that can reach people who are particularly at risk,” said Ann-Sophie Otte, president of the Homosexual Initiative (HOSI) Vienna. “Yeah, how are people supposed to protect themselves if they don’t even know they have to protect themselves?” Mario Lindner.
Number of vaccine doses “almost not enough”
The number of vaccine doses ordered was also “not nearly enough.” “Austria has joined the EU joint procurement and only gets 4,400 vaccinations from it”, while the city of Berlin alone gets 8,000 vaccinations. This was made possible by independent purchasing. “Why can’t the Austrian Ministry of Health do this?” says Otte. “The Ministry of Health has learned nothing from Corona.”
The ministry counters in this regard: the first contingent of vaccinations would mainly be used to vaccinate direct contacts with confirmed cases and laboratory personnel who actually work with monkeypox viruses and are therefore exposed to a high risk of infection. There is “continuous and intensive work on making additional vaccine quantities available as soon as possible”, and other purchasing options are being explored.
Lindner, who presented the first parliamentary question on the fight against monkey pox in the National Council as spokesperson for the equal treatment of the SPÖ a few weeks ago, sees an urgent need for action on the part of the Minister of Health: the time for alarmism and scaremongering, nor for a federal government to look the other way and ignore the situation. We urgently need more vaccine doses and understandable, prevention-oriented and calm communication from all governments.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
