Monkeypox Vaccine Offered to Massachusetts Close Contacts

Since the monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak reached the USA in May 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been distributing the Jynneos vaccine to local health authorities in about sixteen states.

Massachusetts was one of the first U.S. states to offer the Jynneos™ vaccine to monkeypox patients' close contacts.

Jynneos was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2019 to prevent smallpox and monkeypox disease in adults. It is administered in two doses 28 days apart.

A robust antibody response following a single dose of Jynneos has been observed in clinical trials.

However, the vaccine's protection is not fully conferred until two weeks after receipt of the second dose, stated the CDC on June 3, 2022.

Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on June 12, 2022, two new MPXV cases in two adult men who had close contact with one another.

Neither case reports a known link to the initial cases identified in Massachusetts on May 18, 2022.

And these men are currently isolated to prevent the spread to MPXV others.

Most health authorities suggest this isolation lasts up to twenty-one days.

"Although monkeypox infections remain rare, and none of the close contacts from Massachusetts' first case developed monkeypox during their monitoring period, the CDC is reporting that cases continue to rise across the United States," commented DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown, in a related press release. 

"It is very important to be aware of the symptoms of MPXV and vigilant."

"Individuals with concerning rashes should contact their healthcare provider."

The Boston Public Health Commission is leading the investigations and is collaborating with DPH, the patients, and their healthcare providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patients while they were infectious. 

Clinicians should consult with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800 to determine if testing is indicated.

As of June 14, 2022, the CDC reported that (17) states had confirmed (65) monkeypox patients.

Globally, over 34 countries have confirmed about 1,624 monkeypox cases since early May 2022.

Additional MPXV outbreak news is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.

Note: This information was manually curated for mobile readership.