Monkeypox Vaccine Arrives In Suburban Cook County

COOK COUNTY, IL ? Eighty-six doses of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine have been received by the Cook County Department of Public Health. The two-dose regimen is enough to treat 43 people.

The JYNNEOS is in limited supply and thus being prioritized for use as post-exposure prophylaxis for people with known or suspected contact with monkeypox cases. Currently, there are 700 confirmed monkeypox cases in the United States, according to Cook County health officials. This includes 91 cases in Illinois and 7 cases (plus 12 contacts) in suburban Cook County.

At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend widespread vaccination against monkeypox. However, depending on the demand and vaccine availability, the CCDPH is considering expanding vaccinations to those with a higher-than-normal risk of exposure, including close personal contacts of people with monkeypox, laboratory workers who test for monkeypox, and gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men.

Monkeypox is a rare, but potentially serious viral illness, that belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, which includes smallpox. Once infected, people usually have flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, chills, headache, muscle aches), swelling of the lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash on the face and body. Sometimes people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. People with monkeypox are contagious from the time they have symptoms until the rash fully heals. Most infections last 2-to-4 weeks.

How to protect yourself:

• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with someone with a rash consistent with monkeypox.
• Do not touch the rash or scabs of person with confirmed or suspected monkeypox.
• Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with confirmed or suspected monkeypox.
• Do not share eating utensils or cups with someone with confirmed or suspected monkeypox.
• Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels or clothing of a sick person.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after contact with sick people.
• Talk to your healthcare provider if you were potentially exposed. You may be a candidate for a post-exposure vaccination to prevent the development of monkeypox disease.

How to protect others:

If you have symptoms particularly a rash consistent with monkeypox (even if you do not think you were in contact with anyone with monkeypox), or if you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox:

• Stay home if you are feeling sick.
• Contact a health care provider as soon as possible for an evaluation.
• Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others, including sexual contact, until a medical evaluation has been completed.
• Inform sex partners about any symptoms you are experiencing.
• Cover the rash with clean, dry, loose-fitting clothing.
• Wear a well-fitted mask.
• If you are contacted by public health officials, answer their confidential questions to help protect others who may have been exposed.

A person who is sick with monkeypox should isolate at home. Someone with an active rash or other symptoms should be in a separate room or area from other family members and pets when possible, and contact their healthcare provider right away.

Visit the Cook County Department of Public Health to learn more about monkeypox.