Massachusetts changes monkeypox vaccine policy, putting second doses on hold – WCVB Boston

August 5, 2022 Kim Martel

Citing a “severely limited” supply of the two-dose monkeypox vaccine, Massachusetts health officials are instructing providers to stop scheduling appointments to administer the second dose. Starting Monday, the Massachusetts Department of Public health is telling vaccine partners to prioritize first doses for as many eligible people as possible. In a statement, the department said preexisting second-dose appointments would be honored, but new second-dose appointments would not be scheduled until more doses become available. “This approach is intended to provide the broadest possible protection against the spread of monkeypox virus in Massachusetts and is consistent with a growing number of states, jurisdictions and large municipalities,” officials wrote in a statement. Massachusetts reported the first case of monkeypox virus infection in the nation on May 18. Since then, DPH has reported 157 cases in the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 7,000 cases across the country. The federal government declared a public health emergency Thursday to bolster the response to the monkeypox outbreak.State health officials say nearly 5,875 doses of the Jynneos vaccine have been administered in Massachusetts. Across the state, 14 providers are administering the vaccine, which is available to individuals at greatest risk of exposure to someone with the infection.The list of health care provider sites is available on the state’s monkeypox vaccine website.The DPH said while many of the early cases were associated with international travel, recent cases are not.”Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men make up a large proportion of the cases identified to date,” the DPH said in a news release. “However, the risk is not limited to the LGBT community, and anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.”Early symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, but a rash may be the first symptom. Rash lesions start flat, become raised, fill with clear fluid (vesicles) and then become pustules (filled with pus). A person with monkeypox can have many lesions or they may only have a few.While the virus does not spread easily between people, people can spread the infection once they develop symptoms. Transmission occurs through direct contact with body fluids and monkeypox sores, by touching items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.), or less commonly, through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.Anyone who believes they may have monkeypox should isolate, but if they need to leave their home, they should wear a mask and cover their rash or lesions when around others.Those who live with or care for someone who may have monkeypox should wear a mask and disposable gloves if they need to have any direct contact with lesions and when handling any clothes or bedding if the person cannot do it themselves. They should also wash their hands regularly, especially after contact with the person who is infected or with their clothes, bed sheets, towels and other items or surfaces they have touched.

BOSTON —

Citing a “severely limited” supply of the two-dose monkeypox vaccine, Massachusetts health officials are instructing providers to stop scheduling appointments to administer the second dose.

Starting Monday, the Massachusetts Department of Public health is telling vaccine partners to prioritize first doses for as many eligible people as possible. In a statement, the department said preexisting second-dose appointments would be honored, but new second-dose appointments would not be scheduled until more doses become available.

“This approach is intended to provide the broadest possible protection against the spread of monkeypox virus in Massachusetts and is consistent with a growing number of states, jurisdictions and large municipalities,” officials wrote in a statement.

Massachusetts reported the first case of monkeypox virus infection in the nation on May 18. Since then, DPH has reported 157 cases in the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 7,000 cases across the country.

The federal government declared a public health emergency Thursday to bolster the response to the monkeypox outbreak.

State health officials say nearly 5,875 doses of the Jynneos vaccine have been administered in Massachusetts. Across the state, 14 providers are administering the vaccine, which is available to individuals at greatest risk of exposure to someone with the infection.

The list of health care provider sites is available on the state’s monkeypox vaccine website.

The DPH said while many of the early cases were associated with international travel, recent cases are not.

“Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men make up a large proportion of the cases identified to date,” the DPH said in a news release. “However, the risk is not limited to the LGBT community, and anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.”

Early symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, headache, sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, but a rash may be the first symptom. Rash lesions start flat, become raised, fill with clear fluid (vesicles) and then become pustules (filled with pus). A person with monkeypox can have many lesions or they may only have a few.

While the virus does not spread easily between people, people can spread the infection once they develop symptoms. Transmission occurs through direct contact with body fluids and monkeypox sores, by touching items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.), or less commonly, through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.

Anyone who believes they may have monkeypox should isolate, but if they need to leave their home, they should wear a mask and cover their rash or lesions when around others.

Those who live with or care for someone who may have monkeypox should wear a mask and disposable gloves if they need to have any direct contact with lesions and when handling any clothes or bedding if the person cannot do it themselves. They should also wash their hands regularly, especially after contact with the person who is infected or with their clothes, bed sheets, towels and other items or surfaces they have touched.