Vaccine against monkeypox available at local health unit

State’s cases up to 23

The monkeypox vaccine is available at the Union County Local Health Unit, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

Monkeypox was declared a U.S. Health Emergency on August 4. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, as of Friday, 14,115 monkeypox cases had been identified in the U.S.

The ADH reported that 23 cases had been found in Arkansas as of Friday, none of which were in Union County. In neighboring Louisiana, 127 cases had been identified as of Friday, according to the CDC, while in Texas, 1,079 cases had been found.

Danyelle McNeill, a spokesperson for the ADH, said the state had received 1,760 doses of vaccine as of Friday.

“So far, we’ve had plenty of vaccines to provide both first and second doses,” ADH Director Dr. Jennifer Dillaha said.

According to reporting by the New York Times, a different way of administering the vaccine — into the skin instead of the underlying fat — would reduce the amount of vaccine needed to vaccinate patients.

“The subcutaneous dose has a larger volume than the intradermal dose, but it is not diluted. Because the intradermal doses is smaller and has the same effect as the subcutaneous dose, we can get more doses out of the vials that we receive and help protect more people,” Dillaha explained Friday.

According to the ADH, monkeypox is transmitted through close contact and can be contracted by anyone. Monkeypox is characterized by fever, headache, muscle pain, and painful rashes that occur seven to 14 days after exposure. Skin-to-skin contact with the rash can spread the virus.

“Testing and treatment are widely available. If you feel sick, and have a new or unexplained rash, please see your healthcare provider to get medical attention and evaluation. If you do not have a provider or insurance, you can visit the local health unit in your county for testing,” said Dr. Atul Kothari, senior physician specialist at the ADH.

To mitigate the spread of monkeypox, Kothari recommended Arkansans avoid skin-to-skin contact with people who might have monkeypox, avoid contact with objects someone with monkeypox has used and wash hands regularly, especially before eating or touching one’s face and after using the bathroom.

Currently, there are some limits on eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine. According to the ADH, Arkansans who are eligible for the vaccine include:

• those with a confirmed or presumed exposure to someone with monkeypox, including those who have had physical contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox

• those who know a sexual partner of their’s was diagnosed with monkeypox

• men who have sex with men who have had a sexual encounter in the last 14 days in “a venue where there was known to be spread of monkeypox or in an area where monkeypox is spreading.”

According to reporting by the Associated Press, in the initial outbreak of monkeypox in the last few months, cases were primarily identified in men who have sex with men; however, public health officials have emphasized that anyone can contract the virus.

The CDC has confirmed pediatric cases in the US, as well as a small number of infections in pregnant women. Dillaha said the ADH isn’t concerned that the start of school will increase cases of monkeypox in Arkansas at this time.

Antiviral drugs are effective treatments against the illness. One’s health care provider can help decide if treatment is needed and prescribe it.

Those who think they are eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine should contact their health care provider first. For more information about vaccination, one can contact the Union County Local Health Unit at 870-863-5101. McNeill said those who meet the criteria for vaccination from states other than Arkansas may also be vaccinated here.

For more information on monkeypox, visit healthy.arkansas.gov.