Monkeypox Vaccine Eligibility Expanded In VA, Most Cases In NoVA

VIRGINIA — As hundreds of monkeypox cases have been reported in Virginia, the state's health department expanded eligibility criteria for the monkeypox vaccine.

As of Thursday, the Virginia Department of Health reported 295 monkeypox cases. Most —183 cases — come from the Northern Virginia health districts of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William. The Fairfax Health District includes the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax, while the Prince William Health District includes the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. Of the 295 cases, 291 are among men. There have been 11 hospitalizations associated with monkeypox cases in Virginia.

Under the newly expanded criteria, people eligible for the vaccine include people who had anonymous or multiple sexual partners in the last two weeks, sex workers, and staff at establishments where sexual activity happens, such as bath houses, saunas and sex clubs. The eligible people can be of any sexual orientation and gender. The criteria is based on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of Tuesday, the state had received 15,282 vials of the JYNNEOS two-dose monkeypox vaccine, redistributed 8,899 vials to local health districts and administered 5,875 vials through local health departments and healthcare providers.

Eligible residents are encouraged to visit their local health department's website to learn more about accessing the monkeypox vaccine. In Northern Virginia, the health departments are the Alexandria Health Department, Arlington County Health Department, Fairfax County Health Department, Loudoun County Health Department and Prince William County Health Department. In the Fredericksburg area, see the Rappahannock Area Health Department.

Monkeypox is a contagious rash illness similar to smallpox but with milder symptoms. Symptoms may include a rash that can initially look like pimples or blisters, fever, chills, swollen lymph codes, exhaustion, muscle aches, backache, headache, and respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat or cough. Symptoms start within three weeks of exposure and last two to four weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some experience flu-like symptoms before the rash, while some get the rash first or experience no other symptoms besides the rash.

Monkeypox is spread through close contact with an infected person. This close contact can include touching skin lesions, bodily fluids, or clothing or linens in contact with an infected person and prolonged face-to-face contact.

The health department notes the risk to the general public is low and that it does not spread from walking past an infected person or casual conversation. Health officials say avoiding sex with multiple or anonymous partners can greatly reduce the risk of getting monkeypox.

. While anyone can spread monkeypox through close contact with another, many affected by the global outbreak of monkeypox have been gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

For more guidance on monkeypox, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/monkeypox.