Smallpox of the monkeys already preparing the international emergency and

Smallpox of the monkeys, already preparing the “international emergency” (and vaccines) Nicola Porro

When the word “health emergency” really seemed like just a memory the new monkeypox virus is making the upper floors move. The cases detected in Europe in the last week are about 900 and the risk and mortality rate is about 1 percent, according to the Director General for Prevention of the Ministry of Health Gianni Rezza explains: “The virus is transmitted by direct or very close contact and for this reason the outbreaks generally tend to be self-limiting”.

Despite this, and despite the many assurances from doctors who, a few days ago – exactly on April 14, The European Commission has decided to enter into a contract to purchase 110,000 doses of the vaccine, which will be available to member countries. “This is a clear signal that the Hera agency can respond effectively to health threats,” said EU Health Council Commissioner Stella Kyriakides in Luxembourg. Unlike Covid-19, for the first time the cans were paid for with European funds and not individually by the states. However, it should be noted that the vaccine, called Imvanez, has not yet been approved in Europe.

A reverse way, so: first the big purchase and then finally the distribution of the cans to the countries. In fact, as reported, they were called up on June 23 Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusDirector of the WHO, the experts of the Emergency Committee with the aim of assessing the real extent of the risk posed by the so-called monkeypox. The committee must decide whether or not to declare a public health emergency: If the result is positive, the vaccines will be distributed to the countries, otherwise not.

The question comes up: Why were thousands of doses of the vaccine bought before the World Health Organization issued its statement? If it decides not to declare a state of emergency, where will all these vaccines end up? Based on the experience of Covid vaccines, so advanced in all Italian regions that the expiry date is extended by three months, the contract signed today seems at least risky.

The decision therefore rests with the World Health Organization and the real possibility of reliving what we have experienced over the last few years could arise in a few weeks. A film we’ve already seen, a screenplay that we unfortunately had to learn by heart. Everything will be decided in a few dayson June 23, the date on which A new health emergency could begin. What is certain is that the vaccines are ready: and that seems to be all that matters. Far from conspiracies, however, the question arises: did Europe really take such a big risk, signing a treaty prematurely and without scientific certainty and risking an epochal flop?

Bianca Leonardi, June 16, 2022