Unlike its neighbours, Switzerland still does not offer vaccination once morest monkeypox. A situation deplored by Alexandra Calmy, infectious disease specialist and head of the AIDS unit at HUG. Especially since “Switzerland is the 6th country most affected by monkeypox per million inhabitants”, she underlines in the 7:30 p.m.
Invited on the television set, Alexandra Calmy, infectious disease specialist and head of the AIDS unit at the HUG, deplores the slowness of the Federal Council with regard to the authorization of the vaccine once morest monkeypox. For her, Switzerland must be able to quickly offer doses to people who want them. “We must not wait for the first death in Switzerland”, she urges, directly asking the Minister of Health, Alain Berset, to act.
Painful disease
Especially since, according to her, our country is very affected by this disease. “It’s the sixth most affected country by monkeypox per million inhabitants. And on top of that, it’s not a mild disease, we don’t say that often enough. All this would therefore require a real political response,” she insists. “People are suffering a lot. There is no reason not to act.”
>> Read also: “The monkeypox caused me unbearable pain, to cry”
She also deplores the fact that some people have to travel abroad to be vaccinated. And this, while they are often refused, as is the case in several vaccination centers in neighboring France. But she says she understands them.
“Some patients have told us that they have managed to get vaccinated elsewhere, some even go as far as Canada. People are very creative to obtain this vaccine and it is important that they have it. I find it a shame that resourcefulness is the only way to get what I believe we are entitled to in our society.”
>> Read also: Vaccination once morest monkeypox in neighboring France banned for Swiss
Interview by Philippe Revaz
Web adaptation: Fabien Grenon
