U.S. health officials expanded Tuesday’s recommendation to be vaccinated against monkeypox after a growing and surprising monkeypox epidemic.
They stated that they have increased the supply of monkeypox vaccine and are expanding testing to help prevent future outbreaks.
“We will continue taking aggressive action against the virus,” Dr. Ashish Jha (White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator), said. He has also played a part in the government’s handling of monkeypox.
According to the administration, it is expanding the number of people recommended to get vaccinated in order to include those who might have realized that they may have been infected. This includes men who have had sex recently with other men in cities where monkeypox cases are known.
Monkeypox sufferers experience only mild symptoms like fever, body aches and chills, as well as fatigue. Patients with more severe illnesses may experience a rash or lesions on their hands and face that can spread to other parts.
This disease is very common in Africa. People have been infected by bites from small rodents and other animals. It is not easy to spread among people.
Cases began to emerge in the United States and Europe last month. The virus was spread internationally by many, but not all of the people who were infected. Although most of the victims were men who had sex with other men, health officials emphasize that anyone can contract monkeypox.
The number of cases has increased. The U.S. has identified 306 cases in 27 US states and the District of Columbia as of Tuesday. Over 4,700 cases were also found in 40 countries other than the regions of Africa where the virus has been endemic.
Officials in the United States say there have been no deaths, and that the risk to the public is low. They are taking steps to ensure that the public is aware of the fact that medical precautions are being taken to address this growing problem.
One step was to increase the number of people recommended to be vaccinated. Vaccines are usually given to increase immunity and prevent infection. Some vaccines may reduce the severity of symptoms if administered within days or weeks after becoming infected.
Jynneos is a two-dose vaccine approved in the U.S. for monkeypox. Jynneos, a two-dose vaccine for smallpox in the United States, has been approved. However ACAM2000, an older vaccine for smallpox, is still available and could be used. This vaccine is not recommended for HIV-positive people. Officials have been trying to use the Jynneos vaccination as their primary weapon against the monkeypox epidemic.
The government has already distributed more than 9,000 doses. On Tuesday, U.S. officials stated that they were increasing the availability of Jynneos vaccinations. They allocated 56,000 doses right away and approximately 240,000 in the next few weeks. They also promised to add more than 1,000,000 more in the months ahead.
Officials stated that limited Jynneos doses would be distributed “using a four tier distribution strategy that prioritizes jurisdictions that have the highest monkeypox case rates.” The number of doses would be determined by the risk of monkeypox as well as how many people can’t get ACAM2000 due to HIV.
This suggests that the states with the highest number of cases may be New York, California, and Illinois. Each state has reported over 40 cases. Officials didn’t specify which jurisdictions would be at top of the list on Tuesday.
David Harvey, executive director of National Coalition of STD Directors was critical of government announcement.
Harvey stated in a statement that “.We have more than ever questions about how this vaccine is made it to those most at risk in an equitable manner and how the U.S. Will ramp up testing to provide access to the finest therapeutics.”
Another change was announced Tuesday. Previously, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recommended that vaccines should be administered after close contact with cases. Officials from the CDC announced Tuesday that they will expand this recommendation to include people who have not been identified, but could be infected.
This could include men who sex with other men in the same venue as monkeypox, or who have had sex in an area that is spreading monkeypox.
Jennifer McQuiston, CDC, said that it’s almost as if we’re expanding who a contact might possibly be. She said that if someone has been to a party, or any other location where monkeypox is known to spread, “we recommend they bring in for a vaccination.”
Similar steps were taken in New York City, and in the District of Columbia to expand the CDC.
Although 19 cases have been identified by the District of Columbia, case-tracking investigations showed that some of these men were in close intimate contact with others, according to Anil Mangla, the D.C. health official.
Mangla, an epidemiologist, stated that it was obvious that there was something missing and that they needed to offer services to others.
The New York City health department announced last Thursday that it had opened a temporary clinic to provide the vaccine to gay, bisexual, and other men who had sex in New York City with multiple or anonymous partners.
All the appointments were filled quickly that day and the last round was on Monday. Patrick Gallahue, the spokesperson for the city’s Health Department, stated in an email that “until we receive more supply, we are unable” to release additional vaccine appointments.
The District of Columbia’s Health Department took a similar action on Monday. Mangla stated that the department began taking appointments Monday at 1 p.m. but stopped after 20 minutes.
He stated that the department had only 200 Jynneos doses and that it didn’t have enough vaccine supplies or the staffing to continue signing up new patients.