Daniel Valderrey (34 years old) received this Monday in Madrid the monodose of the vaccine against monkeypox and feels luckygiven the difficulty that many people are encountering in achieving prophylaxis in the European region with the most confirmed infections: 1,766.
“The Virgin has to appear to you, I’ve been lucky”, This young man says on the phone that, alarmed by the information on the expansion of the epidemic, and advised by a friend, he made an appointment for the coveted vaccine.
“I have been vaccinated because it is an available tool to reduce the effects of smallpox, given the news of how it is increasing and, later, I have known that the demand is very high,” he explains.
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In fact, when Valderrey uploaded his experience at the Madrid regional vaccination center to social networks, no less than 40 or 50 people contacted him to find out how he got an appointment for which they were having difficulty.
“I was lucky,” he insists. In the link that a friend passed him, “LGTBI activist who always provides us with important information”, on the second attempt he already had the day and time in the Vaccination Center of the Community of Madrid.
In my Health Center they know nothing about the Monkeypox vaccine. The doctor has not been able to tell me if he should vaccinate me or not. He tells me that he has no information.
I’ve been trying to make an appointment online all July and finding this message.Health in Madrid. pic.twitter.com/jTNYY38EW8
– Daniel Cuesta-Lozano (@CuestaLozano) July 30, 2022
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Monday was when he went to General Oraa street, where they have set up a specific access for this vaccination campaign against monkeypox. “They take roll, check that you have an appointment, and in my case everything was very fast,” says this young man who encourages all people who may be exposed to the virus not to falter in requesting the vaccine.
In your case, after receiving the injection, agreed to fill out a sexual health questionnaire for statistical purposes. “They ask you if you have been with people confirmed with monkeypox, your number of sexual partners, if you have maintained risky practices…”, he recalls. At the same time, she says that three other young men came to receive the vaccine. And that she did not give him the feeling that there was saturation of the service.
Some Communities They attribute the slow pace in dispensing the vaccine to the shortage of doses provided to all by the Ministry of Health. Madrid would have received 5,000 vaccines, but Health has already confirmed that More will come this week.
His advice: “Get vaccinated”
Valderrey says that he has “a couple of acquaintances” who have had monkeypox. Like most, his friends have stayed “at home, following the recommendations of the health personnel. And it has not gone any further, they are very mild cases.” According to Health is the usual. Of the 4,577 cases registered in Spain, only 120 have required hospitalization. Yes, two deaths have been recorded, both last weekend.
This man from Madrid, who due to his date of birth had not been immunized against smallpox as a child, was warned by the health personnel who vaccinated him against a possible mild reaction, similar to a flu process, as with the vaccines against covid-19. “But I only felt a slight discomfort in my arm. It didn’t make me more,” he explains.
And, to anyone who may have been exposed to monkeypox, Valderrey would not hesitate to say: “get vaccinated“. He argues that prophylaxis is proven to reduce the worst effects of the disease. “If you get it, regardless of your sexual orientation, it’s bad luck. You have to keep living. We can’t stay home,” he defends.
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