Statewide vaccination programs have shown to be effective at mitigating the transmission of monkeypox. Preliminary data from 32 states showing eligible, high-risk populations who did not receive vaccination for monkeypox were 14 times as likely to contract the disease than those who were vaccinated. These vaccine performance estimates will be posted monthly by the Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In response a decline in cases due to vaccination, immunity from infection and changes in behavior among those at greater risk for infection, CDC announced expanded eligibility for monkeypox vaccination so that more people may receive the vaccine before they are exposed to the disease. CDC is now recommending pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the context of the current outbreak to be offered to people with the highest potential for exposure to monkeypox.
Vaccination remains an important tool in preventing the spread of monkeypox in West Virginia. At this time the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health is expanding eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine (JYNNEOS) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to the following groups:
- Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender or nonbinary people who in the past 6 months have had
o A new diagnosis of one or more nationally reportable sexually transmitted diseases (i.e., acute HIV, chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
o More than one sex partner - People who have had any of the following in the past 6 months:
o Sex at a commercial sex venue
o Sex in association with a large public event in a geographic area where monkeypox transmission is occurring - Sexual partners of people with the above risks
- People who anticipate experiencing the above risks
Attachments
Expanded Eligibility for Monkeypox Vaccinations