State's top doc urges those at risk to get monkeypox vax

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announces that individuals at a high risk of infection for monkeypox are eligible for a vaccine, in addition to those who have known exposure to someone with confirmed monkeypox.

DHHS also announces that individuals eligible for JYNNEOS, the monkeypox vaccine, can access the vaccine at eight ConvenientMD locations.

The monkeypox virus continues to spread primarily through sexual networks among persons who identify as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.

"We recommend that anybody who has been exposed to the monkeypox virus and anybody who is at high risk for being exposed gets vaccinated as soon as possible," said New Hampshire State Epidemiologist, Dr. Benjamin Chan. "The JYNNEOS vaccine is safe and effective at preventing monkeypox. However, because it takes time for vaccine protection to develop and because no vaccine is 100 percent effective, people should continue taking steps to reduce their chance for exposure and limit their number of sex partners."

The JYNNEOS vaccine is distributed through city health departments and participating provider clinics. Patients should first contact their health care provider for a referral to a participating clinic. For individuals who do not have a health care provider, you can now call one of the eight Convenient MD locations providing vaccination. These locations are in, Belmont, Concord, Dover, Keene, Littleton, Manchester, Nashua, and Portsmouth. To be eligible for a vaccine in the State, individuals must live, work, or have a primary health care provider in New Hampshire.

• For addresses and additional vaccination locations, click on the link: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt476/files/documents2/monkeypox-vaccine-locations.pdf
• Four additional Convenient MD locations, in Bedford, Londonderry, Merrimack, Stratham, and Windham, will begin providing the JYNNEOS vaccine on September 7, 2022.
• For more information on monkeypox in New Hampshire, go to https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disease-prevention/infectious-disease-control/monkeypox.