Monkeypox vaccines administered to close contacts in Rhode Island

Olivia DaRocha,
Us Officials Announce More Steps Against Monkeypox Outbreak
Uncredited - hogp, CDC
FILE - This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. U.S. health officials are expanding the group of people recommended to get vaccinated against the monkeypox virus. They also say they are providing more monkeypox vaccine, working to expand testing, and taking other steps to try to get ahead of the outbreak.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Health said Monday that monkeypox vaccines are being administered in the state to close contacts.

Joseph Wendelken, a spokesperson for the Department of Health, said the state is given a specific number of vaccines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — related to population size, current monkeypox case counts and historical data on sexually transmitted infections.

For that reason, Rhode Island has been allocated less than other states like Massachusetts.

Wendelken said at this time, Rhode Island has only been given vaccines for close contacts of confirmed cases.

Also Monday, Massachusetts announced that monkeypox vaccine clinics are opening in 11 locations throughout the state.

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