Increased supply of the monkeypox vaccine (Jynneos) has allowed the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to expand eligibility for the vaccine. The Pandemic Operations Center (1507 Greenfield Street) will be following updated guidance from NCDHHS and can now offer Jynneos to the expanded groups to combat and prevent monkeypox.
Monkeypox is a virus that is spread through close, physical, skin-to-skin contact, which includes, but is not limited to, intimate encounters. Monkeypox is rarely fatal but can present as a painful rash with or without flu like symptoms. Eligibility for the vaccine is based on current case data to target those at highest risk.
The Jynneos vaccine is now available for free to individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Anyone who had close contact in the past two weeks with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox
- Gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals, who are sexually active
- People who have had sexual contact with gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals in the past 90 days
- People living with HIV, or taking medication to prevent HIV (PrEP), or who were diagnosed with syphilis in the past 90 days.
“Monkeypox cases are continuing to increase across the state, so expanding the vaccine eligibility means we can protect even more people,” said Pandemic Operations manager Jon Campbell. “The Pandemic Operations Center has given the community a place to receive safe vaccines, confidentially. We are providing Jynneos vaccines free of charge and have worked hard to make the process as efficient as possible.”
If you have further questions or would like to schedule a vaccination appointment, you can call the Pandemic Operations Call Center at 910-798-6800 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Original source can be found here.
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