More than 2,000 monkeypox vaccine doses given in Maricopa County; more vaccination events scheduled
Amid a worldwide monkeypox outbreak, just over 2,000 doses of a vaccine have been administered in several Arizona counties, and additional vaccination events have been scheduled for the following weeks.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health has administered more than 2,100 doses, according to spokeswoman Sonia Singh. MCDPH has received an allocation of little more than 2,900 doses of the JYNEEOS vaccine to administer to high-risk residents in Maricopa, Pinal, Gila and La Paz counties, Singh explained.
As of Friday morning, there were 28 confirmed cases of monkeypox and 14 probable cases, according to MCDPH. The first reported case in Maricopa County was on June 7.
Monkeypox in Arizona: Vaccine's limited supply concerns health officials as cases rise
Monkeypox can cause a rash resembling pimples or blisters, sometimes with a flu-like illness, and spreads through direct contact with a monkeypox rash, scabs or body fluids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contact can be made through physically intimate activity like sex, according to the CDC.
MCDPH medical epidemiologist Dr. Nick Staab previously spoke to The Arizona Republic about monkeypox vaccine supplies.
"Ideally, with more vaccine supply, we'll be able to give this to individuals who are at high risk but who have not necessarily been in contact with a case," Staab said in a July 11 story.
MCDPH will host at least two more vaccination events in Phoenix in the next couple of weeks. There will be vaccines available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3 by appointment only, and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at the Maricopa County Public Health Clinic located at 1645 E. Roosevelt St. in Phoenix.
"Vaccine is available for people who meet eligibility criteria. All others will be turned away," Singh said.
Information on vaccine eligibility and how to be notified of upcoming vaccinations is available at maricopa.gov/monkeypox.
Currently, MCDPH's eligibility applies to men or transgender women who have sex with men or have multiple or anonymous partners or anyone who shares a household with someone who has tested positive for monkeypox.
Full vaccination with JYNNEOS comes two weeks after a second dose with four weeks between each shot.
How do I know if I have monkeypox?
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health says monkeypox often starts with a fever, which may be accompanied by a headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
One to three days after fever starts, a rash begins, often starting on the face before spreading to other parts of the body, county officials say. The rash may begin as small, flat, round discolorations that become raised and fluid-filled (clear or pus) before scabbing. The spots and the fluid in them carry the virus that can infect others, health officials say.
The spots or lesions can appear anywhere on the skin, genitals or inside the mouth. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks, according to the CDC. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash, the federal agency says.
The best way to prevent the spread of monkeypox and other viruses is to wash your hands after you contact someone, wear a mask when you are in a crowded indoor space, and stay home if you’re sick with fever or respiratory symptoms. Always avoid touching a rash or skin lesions on someone else, state, county and federal health officials say.
Anyone who is experiencing those symptoms should seek medical care and avoid contact with others to prevent the virus from spreading.
Republic reporter Stephanie Innes contributed to this article.
Reach breaking news reporter Jose R. Gonzalez at jose.gonzalez@gannett.com or on Twitter @jrgzztx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County administers over 2,000 monkeypox vaccine doses
