Monkeypox Vaccine Appointments Now Available In South Jersey

CAMDEN, NJ — Cooper University Hospital is now allowing certain New Jersey residents without a confirmed exposure to monkeypox to make an appointment to receive a monkeypox vaccine, Camden County said.

According to the county, restrictions are in place "because the vaccine supply is very limited" at this time.

The county said those making an appointment must be a resident of New Jersey, as well as:

• have a known monkeypox exposure within past 14 days
• identify as gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men and/or transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary and who have a history of multiple or anonymous sex partners within past 14 days
• have a weakened immune system
• have a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema
• have had contact with someone who tested positive for orthopoxvirus or monkeypox virus within past 14 days

"Even with this additional resource, we still need everyone to continue exercising caution when it comes to interacting with people outside of your household and stay aware of any symptoms," said Paschal Nwako, Camden County Health Officer and Public Health Coordinator.

Common monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache, chills, and a pimple or blister-like rash, he said.

Vaccines will be administered by appointment only, the county said. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m and can be made by calling 856-968-7100 or visiting my.cooperhealth.org, the county said.

"We are happy to be able to assist this important effort to protect the communities we serve in South Jersey," said Joseph Montella, Chief Medical Officer at Cooper University Health Care.

There were four cases of probable or confirmed monkeypox in Camden County and 109 such cases statewide as of the end of day Thursday, health officials said.

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