Vaccination for Mpox to be offered complimentary in Berlin starting from September
In a significant development for public health, the Mpox vaccine will now be available for free at General Practitioner's (GP) offices in Berlin starting in September. This move comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) officially renamed the virus Mpox in November 2022, aiming to correct its misleading former name and reduce racist stigma.
The Mpox virus, contrary to its misleading former name, is not primarily transmitted by monkeys. It was detected in laboratory monkeys in Denmark, not in African countries, as its former name might suggest. The virus has been recommended for vaccination by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for certain high-risk groups, such as gay men with changing sexual partners and staff who work with viruses in specialized laboratories.
The increased manufacturing capacity of the Mpox vaccine, specifically the JYNNEOS (MVA-BN) vaccine, has improved its availability globally. However, vaccine shortages have been reported in places like the US as recently as mid-2025. Berlin, being a city that hosts important public health coordination meetings, likely benefits from prioritized access to vaccines through regional and European frameworks.
The heightened sense of alarm in Berlin's at-risk gay community was particularly due to the first reported case of the "clade 1" variant of Mpox in Sweden. This variant, which was previously only seen in central Africa since September of last year, is considered more dangerous. The first case of the "clade 1" variant was reported in Sweden in the past two weeks.
Until now, the Mpox vaccine in Berlin was available at the pharmacy and required advance ordering at several hundred euros. The Centre for Sexual Health in Mitte was the only previous free vaccination location for Berliners against Mpox, but it has been oversubscribed and quickly ran out of capacity in the last weeks.
The RKI currently recommends vaccination against Mpox for gay men with changing sexual partners. Two doses are usually required for the Mpox vaccination. It is important to note that the JYNNEOS vaccine is contraindicated for persons allergic to any components, and immunocompromised individuals may have a reduced immune response to it.
In a separate development, the outbreak of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo was declared a health emergency of international concern by the WHO on Wednesday. The organisation is working closely with the Congolese government and other partners to control the spread of the virus and to ensure that affected communities have access to essential health services.
[1] Bavarian Nordic Press Release [2] Robert Koch Institute Guidelines [3] US Vaccine Shortage Report [4] WHO Emergency Declaration [5] WHO European Centre Meetings
- In light of the increased availability of the Mpox vaccine and the RKI's recommendation, it's encouraging to see that mental health and sexual health services in Berlin, specifically those addressing the concerns of high-risk groups such as gay men, can now beneficial from the free vaccination services offered at GP offices, starting in September.
- As the World Health Organization works tirelessly to control the spread of the Mpox virus and ensure access to essential health services, it's crucial for communities in Berlin to prioritize their mental health, recognizing the potential stress and anxiety created by the outbreak, and seek support when necessary to maintain overall health and wellness.
