Limited Monkeypox Vaccines Headed To Washington

OLYMPIA, WA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is shipping nearly 800 doses of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine to Washington as part of the federal government's first allocation for states with confirmed or probable cases linked to an international outbreak.

As of Friday, the CDC said there were nearly 800 known monkeypox infections in the United States, including 153 reported in New York and 136 in California. Washington is on the lower end, with 15 confirmed or probable cases. All but one of the Evergreen State's infections are in King County, and the other was in a patient who was exposed in another state but tested positive locally.

Earlier this week, King County public health officials confirmed their most recent cases were identified in people without recent travel, suggesting local transmission. However, since the virus spreads primarily through close physical contact, the risk to the general public is considered low.

Infections can begin with flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes, followed by the development of a rash on the face and body, or in the groin area. Symptoms typically last for two to four weeks but can be serious for some, including children and people who are immunocompromised or pregnant.

"Transmission generally requires close, skin-to-skin contact with someone who has symptoms of the disease," said Dr. Scott Lindquist, state epidemiologist for communicable diseases. "For people who have had recent contact with someone who tested positive for monkeypox, the vaccine can reduce the chance of developing a monkeypox infection."

Health officials encourage anyone who develops a rash, other symptoms, or who had close contact with an infected person in the last three weeks to contact their health care provider for testing.

The CDC's first vaccine distribution will focus on the states with the highest number of cases and will distribute approximately 56,000 doses of the two-dose vaccine in the first phase. Later this month, or in August, the CDC plans to make another 240,000 doses available nationwide.