“When I look at myself I am sorry, when I compare myself I console myself”.
Does the adage apply to France and to vaccination against monkey pox (“monkeypox” in English)?
As of August 17, 43,767 doses of vaccine have been administered there, the majority in Île-de-France, according to the most recent figures communicated by the Ministry of Health.
After significant difficulties in finding an appointment in the big cities, the system seems to have become more fluid there.
On the other hand, some departments remain under-equipped with vaccination centers and the associations are pleading to speed up the pace, considering that the pace is very insufficient.
Still, compared to its main neighbors, France does not have to "blush", according to the numbers collected from foreign governments.
Unlike at the time of the beginnings of vaccination against Covid, when it was relegated to the back of the European pack, this time it is among the countries having vaccinated the most.
For 1 million inhabitants, 650 doses were administered there.
Across the Channel, the latest report from the British Health Agency reports 33,199 vaccinations carried out on August 17, or 600 per 1 million inhabitants (the agency confirms to Le Parisien that this number is valid for England only) .
Restricted target in some countries
France and England have overall the same eligible population, namely contact cases, exposed caregivers and men who have sex with men (France adds prostitutes and people frequenting places of sexual consumption).
In Spain, only people under the age of 45 and who have high-risk “sexual practices” as well as those who have visited a sick person are eligible for vaccination.
The country barely exceeded 1,200 doses of vaccines administered in mid-August, according to the Daily of Navarre.
The Ministry of Health tells Le Parisien that 17,000 doses are now available, following a third delivery.
Read alsoMonkey pox: why initially expired vaccines are used
In Belgium, men who have sex with men must be "HIV-positive or receiving HIV-Prep treatment" and have "had at least two sexually transmitted diseases in the last year" if they want to be vaccinated.
Only 900 inhabitants were able to receive a first dose, according to the Federal Public Service Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, reports the Belga agency.
Faced with difficulties in finding a niche, some men even cross the border with France to be vaccinated there.
In some other countries, only contact cases are – for the moment – required to be vaccinated.
This is the case in Portugal, indicates the Directorate General of Health.
Only 215 inhabitants who have been in contact with a patient have been immunized, generally with a single dose, we read in the Diário de Notícias on August 19.
Nearly 3,000 doses for a million inhabitants in Quebec
Whether for Spain, Belgium or Portugal, we are well below France when we relate these figures to the population.
These three countries are also part (along with Germany) of those benefiting first from vaccine orders placed on a European scale, due to their very low stocks.
We have not found a number of vaccinations carried out in Germany and Italy - and there is not yet a centralized database at European level.
For Germany, we have to wait for the feedback from each region and “the first data will be published soon”, tells us the Robert Koch Institute.
In Italy, only 4,200 first doses were to be delivered at the beginning of August.
Outside Europe, 24,285 doses of vaccine have been administered in Quebec as of August 18, says the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
Reported to the population, although a small part of the vaccinated are of foreign nationality, it is - this time - much more than in France: nearly 3,000 doses for a million inhabitants.
In the United States, the number of vaccinated must be made public for the first time by the end of the week, the federal health agency said.