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Jackson, Miss – Today, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) announced the availability of a monkeypox vaccine to reduce the spread of monkeypox in Mississippi. Mississippians may now be vaccinated against certain risk factors and practices that put them at greater risk for monkeypox.
The vaccine is available by appointment only at county health department clinics in Lee, Panola, LeFlore, Lowndes, Lauderdale, Adams, Hinds, Forrest and Harrison.
As of today, 11 cases of monkeypox have been identified in Mississippi residents. The number of cases is expected to increase. More than 10,000 cases have been identified nationwide.
In the United States, most cases are among individuals who report having sex with men.
“While it is possible to become infected by close contact or close contact with a person exposed to rabies, most cases of this outbreak are among homosexuals, bisexuals or other individuals who have sex with men,” he said. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers.
A very small amount of monkeypox vaccine has been taken in Mississippi. The two-dose vaccine is currently being administered to people at high risk for exposure to monkeypox, in addition to the vaccines identified in MSDH trials.
Individuals 18 years of age or older may be eligible for vaccination if they have:
- You have been notified or know that you have had intimate or sexual contact with someone who has monkeypox
- Men who identify and report as gay, bisexual, transgender, or other men who have sex with men
- Multiple or anonymous sexual partners, or
- An event or place where a monkeypox disease can be transmitted (eg, through skin-to-skin contact or sexual contact).
Vaccination appointments that meet the above requirements are available. As more vaccines become available in the coming weeks, these criteria will be reevaluated to expand eligibility.
Please call the Monkey Call Center at 1-877-978-6453 to determine your eligibility and schedule a vaccination appointment at one of our participating health department clinics. Appointments can only be made through the call center.
If you are at risk for rabies, you can prevent infection by avoiding close skin contact or close contact with infected people, and you should get vaccinated if you are eligible. If you develop a new or unknown rash, especially if you have been in close contact with someone who has shingles, isolate your home and contact your health care provider for an evaluation.
For more information about monkey disease, visit HealthyMS.com/monkeypox
MSDH via email and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.
Press contactMSDH Communications Office, (601) 576-7667
Note to Media: After hours or in an emergency call (601) 576-7400
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