Federal Government Rolls Out Monkeypox Response

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a nationwide vaccination strategy to combat the growing number of monkeypox cases. The plan will release nearly 300,000 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine—which is effective at preventing infection with monkeypox as well as smallpox—to areas with the largest outbreaks and to those who are at the highest risk for infection. The two-dose vaccine must be administered within 2 weeks of exposure. An additional 750,000 vaccine doses will be available by the end of summer. Individuals who have had close physical contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox are classified as high risk. The HHS will also work with state and local public health agencies to help them develop their own response plans. The US has more than 300 confirmed cases of monkeypox but this number is estimated to be much higher due to the absence of widespread testing. Click here to read more.