THERE is no need for the citizens of this country to get the Monkeypox vaccine as there is no confirmed case.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Senior Advisor Dr Yogesh Choudhri confirmed this during the radio talk back show Sunday.
“We don’t have any imported cases right now and we don’t want to vaccinate the entire country.
“We will not get the vaccine, there is no need to get the vaccine right now,” he said.
There were rumours speculating in the city that if the country imported the monkeypox people would have to get the vaccine.
However, Dr Choudhri said we can only get the vaccine if the virus is here.
He said Monkeypox vaccine is not available in the country.
“That vaccine can protect people to 85 percent,” he said.
The vaccine is available in the world and countries that have the virus have been taking the vaccine for protection.
“Our first defence on Monkeypox is to stop importing the virus into the country,” he said.
In the meantime, the health advisor encourages all citizens in Solomon Islands to practice COVID-19 safety measures like wearing of masks, washing of hands and keeping social distance.
These practices can help to protect people against Monkeypox.
Monkeypox is a new virus and it is currently in Australia.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara