FDA expands monkeypox vaccine authorization to increase dose supply five-fold

A health worker administers a dose of the Bavarian Nordic A/S Jynneos monkeypox vaccine at a vaccination site in West Hollywood, California, on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022.

The monkeypox vaccine's authorization was expanded by the FDA on Tuesday in a way that would greatly increase the number of shots.

The FDA will allow health-care providers to give the shots through injections between the layers of the skin, which will increase the supply by as much as fivefold. The injections are only for people over the age of 18.

If you are at high risk of monkeypox, you can get the vaccine if you are under 18. Under 18 year olds would get the shot through a needle under their skin.

There is only one FDA approved monkeypox vaccine in the US. Jynneos is a product manufactured by a company in Europe.

As the monkeypox outbreak grows, it has made it difficult for people to get appointments and lead to long lines outside clinics.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US is fighting the largest monkeypox outbreak in the world with nearly 9000 cases in 49 states.

The Secretary declared a public health emergency last week.

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