Health Minister seeks monkeypox vaccines from neighbouring countries

Cyprus Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela, is in contact with his counterparts in neighbouring countries, asking them to supply Cyprus with vaccines for monkeypox, the Minister's Communications Advisοr Konstantinos Athanasiou told CNA.

"Since we have the first confirmed case, Cyprus is taking steps to speed up the process of receiving the vaccines”, he said. At the same time, he added that the Minister of Health was asking  neighbouring countries to supply Cyprus with a small amount of vaccines, pending the arrival of 1,400 vaccine doses in the island.  

He pointed out that Cyprus from the first moment had joined the mechanism of joint supply of medicines and vaccines for the disease and noted that antiviral drugs for the disease have not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency.

Regarding the state of health of the 40-year-old who’s being treated with monkeypox at the Nicosia General Hospital, Athanasiou said that he’s in good health and he’s receiving the best treatment available.

However, the patient's mother has told Cyprus state TV CYBC, that his condition was worsening, while the only medical treatment he received was strong doses of antibiotics. The patient and his mother, urged for the arrival of vaccines and drugs for monkeypox in Cyprus, as soon as possible.

"We do not accept any criticism that Cyprus did not act to safeguard vaccines and medicines, as no other country has vaccines and drugs at its disposal," said Athanasiou.

He added that in order to avoid any spread of the virus and to prevent it, it’s important when someone develops symptoms of monkeypox, to immediately contact their personal doctor in order to be given the necessary instructions.