The Biden administration announced Thursday it is accelerating some steps in its monkeypox response, including making an additional 1.8 million vaccine doses available. It also is beginning to help vaccinate, test and educate people at large LGBTQ events.
What You Need To Know
- The Biden administration announced Thursday it is accelerating some steps in its monkeypox response, including making an additional 1.8 million vaccine doses available
- It also is beginning to help vaccinate, test and educate people at large LGBTQ events
- The U.S. has confirmed more than 13,500 monkeypox cases — up 30% in the last week
- Ninety-eight percent of cases have been in men, and among cases with known sexual history and gender, 93% have been in men who have sex with men, the CDC’s director said
Amid a vaccine shortage, the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month granted emergency use authorization for the Jynneos shots to be administered intradermally — into the topmost layer of skin — rather than subcutaneously — into the fatty tissue below. The strategy allows for one-fifth the amount of vaccine to be used per shot while providing the same immune response, health officials say.
The additional 1.8 million doses will be available to order starting Monday. Jurisdictions that have transitioned to the intradermal approach and have used 90% of their current supply will be eligible.
“The Administration is making these doses available ahead of schedule to encourage rapid distribution of vaccine to individuals at high risk of contracting the virus, particularly gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men,” a White House fact sheet said.
Those 1.8 million doses are in addition to 442,000 intradermal doses distributed earlier this week.
The U.S. has confirmed more than 13,500 monkeypox cases during the outbreak — up 30% in the last week. Cases have been detected in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
New York (2,675) and California (2,356) have had the most infections. Wyoming is the only state not to have a reported case. There have been no U.S. deaths associated with the virus, which the Biden administration has declared a public health emergency.
Ninety-eight percent of cases have been in men, and among cases with known sexual history and gender, 93% have been in men who have sex with men, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a call with reporters Thursday,
Monkeypox is spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, objects such as bedding or towels used by someone with monkeypox, or contact with respiratory secretions.
The Department of Health and Human Services is launching a pilot program to make a total of 50,000 additional vaccine doses from the national stockpile available to health departments in areas hosting large events that attract LGBTQ people.
“This is important,” said Bob Fenton, White House monkeypox response coordinator. “It’s innovative, the way that we will bolster local efforts to meet people where they are and mitigate the spread of monkeypox.”
The CDC also is offering assistance to help jurisdictions prepare for the events, including developing vaccination and testing strategies and sharing information about the virus.
The Biden administration said it has started working with health departments in North Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana, where LGBTQ events are scheduled in the coming weeks.
Walensky, however, acknowledged the vaccine push won’t protect people at the events. The Jynneos vaccine requires two shots administered four weeks apart, and individuals are not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after the second shot.
Still, Walensky said health officials view the gatherings as a chance to educate people about the virus and protect them in the future.
“These events are important opportunities for people to connect with their community and to enjoy themselves,” she said. “And they’re also a chance to provide public health messages and resources to otherwise hard-to-reach populations.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said “most Americans still are learning about monkeypox.”
“Here’s what we do want all Americans to know: It’s important that we all take monkeypox seriously, and it’s critical that we do all we can to keep this dangerous virus from spreading,” he said.
The Biden administration also announced it is making available next week 50,000 additional courses of the TPOXX antiviral treatment.
The CDC recommends that anyone who has monkeypox symptoms to avoid close contact with others and visit a health care provider. Symptoms include rash, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, nasal congestion and cough.
