Feds Expand Monkeypox Vaccine Access: Will Maryland Get Doses?

MARYLAND — As monkeypox cases continue to rise both globally and across the United States, orthopoxvirus vaccines are being made more readily available to those most at risk in the U.S., according to federal public health officials.

The vaccine won’t be available to everyone. The Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday it is prioritizing areas with the highest numbers of cases and those most at-risk for the illness.

There are 4,769 known cases of monkeypox globally, including 305 cases in the United States, as of Wednesday morning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Maryland is among those that have confirmed cases of monkeypox this year, with 5 reported infections. The state department of health said those cases are in the national capital and Baltimore metro regions.

California has the most confirmed monkeypox infections with 66, followed by New York with 63 and Illinois with 45.

To see the number of cases in each state, visit this CDC tracker.

Monkeypox, which is usually contained to central and west Africa, is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically spreads by skin-to-skin contact. Infections can cause flu-like symptoms as well as swelling of the lymph nodes and a rash. The rash usually contains bumps that initially fill with fluid before scabbing over, according to the CDC.

The symptoms could be confused with those of chicken pox or a sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis or herpes. Infections can last up to four weeks.

Monkeypox and smallpox are both orthopoxviruses, and smallpox vaccines are effective against preventing the disease.

In areas with highest transmission, roughly 300,000 vaccines will be available in the coming weeks and another 750,000 doses will be available over the summer, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The immunization that will be provided is the JYNNEOS vaccine, which is approved by the FDA to prevent smallpox, monkeypox and other diseases caused by orthopoxviruses.

Officials plan on allocating doses based on a four-tier system — prioritizing jurisdictions with the highest case rates and within each tier, vaccines will be distributed based on the number of people at risk for monkeypox who also have pre-existing conditions like HIV. Those who’ve had confirmed or a presumed exposure to monkeypox will also be prioritized.

“We are focused on making sure the public and health care providers are aware of the risks posed by monkeypox and that there are steps they can take –through seeking testing, vaccines and treatments – to stay healthy and stop the spread,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, said in a statement.

An older smallpox vaccine is in greater supply and health jurisdictions have the option of requesting shipments. However, the department warns that the vaccine has significant side effects and is not recommended for everyone.

The Maryland Department of Health is getting ready for the immunizations. Health officials don't yet know how many total doses the state will receive, however.

"MDH stands prepared to receive those vaccines and is working with key partners in the state to deploy them," health department spokesperson Chase Cook told Patch in an email. "These vaccines will have limited availability and targeted to individuals who are at a higher risk of being exposed to the virus."

The Maryland Department of Health sent a monkeypox fact sheet to providers on May 19, which was when the U.S. recorded its first known infection. That letter, which is posted here, gave tips on screening for monkeypox and preventing infections.

The health department also referred Marylanders to this status update from the White House.

To learn more about the JYNNEOS vaccine, click here. Visit this link to read up on the older ACAM2000 smallpox vaccine.