Over 2,000 vaccinations have been administered in several Arizona counties during the monkeypox pandemic, with additional vaccination events scheduled for the following week.
Maricopa County Public Health has administered more than 2,100 doses, according to spokeswoman Sonia Singh. MCDPH has a quota of just over her 2,900 doses of the JYNEEOS vaccine to administer to high-risk residents in Maricopa, Pinal, Guira and La Paz counties, Singh explained. bottom.
As of Friday morning, there were 28 confirmed and 14 probable monkeypox cases. According to MCDPHThe first reported case in Maricopa County was on June 7th.
Arizona monkeypox:Limited supply of vaccine worries health officials as cases rise
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox causes rashes that resemble pimples and blisters, and can be accompanied by flu-like illnesses that are spread by direct contact with monkeypox rashes, scabs, or bodily fluids. Contact can take place through physically intimate activities such as sex. According to the CDC.
Dr. Nick Staab, a medical epidemiologist at MCDPH, previously spoke to the Republic of Arizona about the monkeypox vaccine supply.
“Ideally, as more vaccines become available, we’ll be able to offer them to individuals who are at higher risk but not necessarily in contact with patients,” Staab said in a July 11 article.
MCDPH will host at least two more immunization events in Phoenix in the coming weeks. The vaccine will be available by appointment Wednesday, August 3 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Monday, August 8 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Maricopa County Public Health, 1645 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. Available at the clinic. .
“Vaccines are available to those who meet the eligibility criteria, all others are denied,” Singh said.
Information on vaccine eligibility and how to notify future vaccinations is available at: maricopa.gov/monkeypox.
Currently, MCDPH eligibility applies to men who have sex with men or transgender women, men who have multiple or anonymous partners, or who live with someone who has tested positive for monkeypox.
Full vaccination with JYNNEOS is given 2 weeks after the second dose, with 4 weeks between doses.
How can you tell if you have monkeypox?
According to the Maricopa County Public Health Department, monkeypox often begins with fever and may be accompanied by headaches, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and fatigue.
One to three days after the fever begins, a rash often begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body, county officials say. The rash may begin as small, flat, round discolorations that are raised and fluid-filled (clear or pus) before crusting. The spots and the fluid in them carry viruses that can infect other people, health officials say.
Spots and lesions can appear anywhere on the skin, genitals, or inside the mouth. The disease usually lasts two to four weeks, according to the CDC. A rash may appear first, followed by other symptoms. Others experience only a rash, the federal agency says.
The best way to prevent the spread of monkeypox and other viruses is to wash your hands after contact with anyone, wear a mask when in crowded indoor spaces, and stay home if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms. Always avoid touching other people’s rashes or skin lesions, according to state, county, and federal health officials.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care and avoid contact with other people to prevent the spread of the virus.
Republic reporter Stephanie Innes contributed to this article.
Contact Breaking News Reporter Jose R. Gonzalez jose.gonzalez@gannett.com or on twitter @jrgzztx.
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