David Y. Ige | News Releases: DOH expands monkeypox vaccination eligibility, reports four additional cases

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) is reporting four additional monkeypox cases in Hawaiʻi and increasing JYNNEOS vaccination eligibility for prevention of monkeypox.

“As more vaccine doses become available, we are expanding vaccine eligibility to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by this outbreak and individuals who are at risk for severe illness,” mentioned Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Nathan Tan. “While the risk to most Hawaiʻi residents remains low, we encourage all eligible individuals to get vaccinated to prevent further transmission and protect our community.”

Cases in Hawaii

DOH has recognized four additional case of monkeypox:

• An Oʻahu resident whose case is expounded to journey exterior Hawaii
• An Oʻahu resident whose case is expounded to beforehand reported cases
• An Oʻahu resident whose case continues to be being investigated
• A non-resident who was identified on Kauaʻi and whose case is expounded to journey exterior Hawaiʻi

This brings the whole variety of cases reported in Hawaiʻi since June 3 to 16. DOH continues to conduct contact tracing and follow-up with all reported cases.

Vaccination

The JYNNEOS vaccine is offered statewide to Hawaiʻi residents 18 and older. The expanded vaccination eligibility consists of:

• Close contact within the final 14 days with an individual with recognized or suspected monkeypox an infection;

• Gay, bisexual, and different males who’ve intercourse with males and transgender people who’ve a number of or nameless intercourse companions;
• Persons with extreme immune compromise (e.g., superior or poorly managed HIV an infection, lively most cancers remedy, high-dose steroids) or sure pores and skin situations, reminiscent of eczema; AND who’ve a family member or intercourse companion at excessive threat for monkeypox.

DOH and healthcare suppliers in every county who straight attain people at greater threat of monkeypox publicity proceed to vaccinate eligible people. Individuals eligible for vaccination could make an appointment by contacting:

In order to accommodate the expanded eligibility standards, DOH is providing vaccination on Oʻahu on Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM on the Blaisdell Center. Vaccination will likely be by appointment solely—appointments will be scheduled on-line at well being.hawaii.gov/docd/mpxvax or by cellphone at (808) 586-4462.

DOH has obtained roughly 2,800 doses of JYNNEOS and continues to order Hawaiʻi’s full allocation from the federal authorities. More than 1,000 doses have been administered.

JYNNEOS is a two-dose collection administered roughly four weeks aside. The vaccine could also be administered between layers of the pores and skin, just like a TB pores and skin check, or below the pores and skin. Both routes of administration present the identical, excessive degree of safety.

Transmission

Monkeypox is especially unfold via shut, intimate contact with physique fluids, lesion materials, or objects utilized by somebody with monkeypox. Monkeypox could also be unfold via giant respiratory droplets. These droplets typically can’t journey various toes, so extended contact is required.

Nationwide, the present cases are primarily spreading amongst social networks of homosexual, bisexual, and different males who’ve intercourse with males. In Hawaiʻi, no less than a few of the cases have been reported amongst homosexual or bisexual males. However, anybody who has shut contact with somebody with monkeypox is susceptible to an infection, no matter sexual orientation or gender id.

Testing & Treatment

Individuals with monkeypox signs, together with flu-like signs, swollen lymph nodes, or new or unexplained rash or sores, ought to instantly contact their healthcare supplier. Testing and remedy can be found via healthcare suppliers.

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Media Contact:

Katie Arita-Chang

Acting Communications Director

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (808) 286-4806