The GGD Groningen is starting to vaccinate against monkey pox. From today, Thursday, a specific group of people will receive a personal invitation to be vaccinated. From 9 August they can receive a vaccination at GGD Groningen.
People cannot register themselves for a vaccination. A specific target group has been designated by RIVM. It concerns men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender persons and MSM sex workers with an increased risk of infection.
People from this target group who are registered as a user of the HIV prevention medication PrEP or who are on the waiting list at GGD Groningen and people who are identified at GGD Groningen with an increased risk of an STI will receive an SMS message. Patients of the HIV clinic from the target group and people who receive PrEP through another care provider are also eligible. They receive a letter from the care provider. The SMS and the letter state how and where to make an appointment for the vaccination.
Contagiousness
Monkeypox is a contagious virus that can be transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact (kissing, making love and sex) with someone who is infected. In very few cases, the virus can also be transmitted through unprotected contact with contaminated material (eg bed linen). The virus invades through the mucous membranes and small wounds/cracks in the skin. It is not dangerous for most people, but it can make you very sick. Eventually the symptoms will go away on their own.
Measures to prevent contamination
Vaccination is an important measure to prevent the spread of monkeypox. The GGD carries out this on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Public Health, Welfare and Sport). It also remains important for residents to be alert to the symptoms of monkeypox and to follow the rules of life with a positive test. If someone has been diagnosed with monkeypox, GGD Groningen will conduct source and contact investigations.
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