You don't have to rush out and get the monkeypox vaccine. I will tell you what you need to know in a minute, but I don't want to make it sound like everyone needs this vaccine.
There are two vaccine options available in the US. There is only one of the two injections that is administered 28 days apart. It is thought that ACAM2000 is too dangerous to give to people with HIV or heart conditions.
If you are in a high risk group, you should only get this if there is a shortage of JYNEOS. More data is needed to confirm that the vaccines are effective against monkeypox, and if one is better than the other.
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If you have probably been exposed to monkeypox, you need to get a vaccine. The term "post exposure prophylaxis" is used in public health. Four days after exposure, the vaccine is thought to be effective and can be given up to 14 days after exposure, which is useful in easing symptoms even if you're not infectious. Men who have sex with men are the group most targeted with monkeypox awareness messaging, but according to the CDC, you don't have to be in this group to be protected. If you do, you're qualified.
You've been in close contact with a person who has monkeypox.
You have had sex with a person who has been diagnosed with monkeypox.
People receiving the vaccine right now are part of a campaign in which a small amount of the vaccine is given to those most likely to benefit from it. It is a "don't call us, we'll call you" type deal.
If you've had sex with more than one person in the past two weeks in an area where monkeypox is known to be spreading, you can get a vaccine. This doesn't mean that you can just go to your primary care physician, tell them you've had sex with multiple people, and get a referral to get the vaccine, it's more theoretical. I bring you to...
It might not be practical right now if you find yourself in a vaccine campaign.
You can make an appointment in New York City. The online appointment portal in Los Angeles was overrun with people trying to make appointments, but walk up vaccine clinics seem to pop up more and more. Drop-in visits are accepted in San Francisco and you can call for appointments. Each Monday in Chicago, 100 doses are given in one location on a first-come, first-served basis.
You understand the concept. Call your local health department if you're worried about an infectious disease.
There has been a slow and patchy roll out of JYNEOS. Most US states have documented cases of monkeypox, but not all health departments make it easy to get jabbed. It appears that jabbing everyone would mean widespread use of ACAM2000, and that is what authorities are avoiding. The federal government said only 800 people had received ACAM2000.
It's frustrating to know that this vaccine is out there and not being made available, but I should remind you that it's nasty. According to the CDC, administering ACAM2000 means 30 punctures in the skin of your shoulder, delivered by quick jabbing you 15 times with a bifurcated steel rod. During the healing process, a successful ACAM2000 vaccine produces a small wound. You have a live, infectious vaccinia virus that can be transmitted from the vaccine recipient to unvaccinated persons who have close contact with the inoculation site. You'll have a scar afterwards.
The vaccine is a last resort for me. We all need to sign up for ACAM2000 if research proves that the vaccine is the superior one. Measures of human immune responses and animal research show that JYNNEOS works against monkeypox.
According to the White House, there will be over one million JYNNEOS doses up for grabs in the summer and half a million more in the fall. The US Department of Health and Human Services ordered 2,500,000doses on July 1st. JYNNEOS is a two dose vaccine.
It's a good idea for men who have sex with men in a major US city to get vaccinations. It is not an emergency if you have been exposed. Try the phone numbers and portals until you get a jab.
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