The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has announced plans to work closely with local health partners to make Monkeypox vaccine doses available to locations that have cases and high risk populations, according to MDH Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Dr. Jinlene Chan.
“We want to emphasize that the goal is limiting the spread of the virus and vaccinating those who may have been exposed in the prior two weeks,” said Dr. Chan in the press release. “We plan to expand access to the vaccine as more supply becomes available.”
Monkeypox is a rare but serious illness that can infect animals and humans. The virus is mainly spread through physical contact. Maryland’s Monkeypox outbreak began in June and the state today reports 149 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Since before our first Monkeypox case was identified, the state has been mounting aggressive response to this outbreak in coordination with local and regional partners,” said Governor Larry Hogan in the press release.
Although the federal government is limited on vaccine supply for the Monkeypox virus, Governor Hogan encourages those who believe they need testing to contact their healthcare provider immediately.
