According to the CDC, the monkeypox vaccine appears effective against the virus. Monkeypox is a virus that primarily affects men who have sex with infected men. At-risk people who receive a single dose of the vaccine are significantly less likely to get sick, even with a second dose. This is the first look the country has received since the push of the Jynneos vaccine.
“These new data provide us with a level of cautious optimism that the vaccine is working as intended,” Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said. Walensky mentioned how lab studies showed the highest level of immunity from the virus is reached after receiving the second dose. Thus making it “really important.”
About 800,000 doses have been administered nationwide to people considered high risk. Currently, the CDC shows that unvaccinated men between 18 to 49 who are eligible for the vaccine are 14 times more likely to become infected than those with one dose. The data came from 32 states between July 31 through September 3.
The U.S. leads the world in monkeypox cases. There are more than 25,000 infections of the virus. The monkeypox virus causes rash, fever, body aches, and chills. Unfortunately, the U.S. suffered from early problems due to the lack of vaccination distribution. Some cities and counties stretched their limited supply by no longer offering the second dose of the vaccine.
Monkeypox Vaccine Update
Public officials are reminding people to get their second dose. According to the CDC, about 150,000-second doses have been administered since September 17th. “We’re really asking providers to do outreach to get people their second doses,” Walensky said.
In addition, public health officials announced changes to who will be eligible for the vaccine and how they can get it. The new CDC guidance intends to reach more people who might be at risk of the virus. The guidance makes gay, bisexual men, and transgender people who have had more than one sexual partner in the past six months eligible for the vaccine. The number of new cases has declined in recent weeks. However, cases shed light on racial disparities. Black people make up about 47% of new cases in early September.
