Massachusetts receives over 2,000 monkeypox vaccine doses

BOSTON (WLNE) — Massachusetts received over 2,000 monkeypox vaccine doses this week, according to health offices.

The Massachusetts Deparment of Health said the state received 2,004 first doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine on Tuesday, and those doses were distributed to four clinics on Wednesday.

The JYNNEOS vaccine requires two shots, 28 days apart for maximum effectiveness, according to the Department. People are considered fully vaccinated about two weeks after their second shot.

The state is one of 10 U.S. jurisdictions eligible for the vaccine against monkeypox, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Department said vaccines are being prioritized for those at greatest risk of exposure, and meet the CDC’s guidelines, due to limited availability.

There is now a total of 31 monkeypox cases in Massachusetts, after 10 additional cases were announced this week.

Individuals with monkeypox are advised to isolate and avoid contact with others until they are no longer infectious, said the Department.