More than 250 doses administered this week; 300 to be administered next week
STATEWIDE (July 1, 2022) — To prevent the spread of monkeypox in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has been using its extremely limited supply of federal vaccines, administering about 250 vaccinations to Coloradans currently at higher risk of exposure to monkeypox. Because Colorado has secured additional vaccines from the supply available to all states in the strategic national stockpile, CDPHE will have three additional vaccine clinics next week for Coloradans who meet specific high-risk criteria.
Three hundred doses will be administered next week on Tuesday, July 5, Friday, July 8, and Saturday, July 9. Appointments are available for Friday and Saturday on a first-come, first-serve basis to Coloradans who meet the specific screening criteria. These extremely limited vaccines are available to men aged 18 years and older who are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days. Anyone who believes they have been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox in the last 14 days is also eligible for the vaccine. These criteria are aligned with CDC guidance.
“We continue to work closely with our partners in the federal government to obtain more vaccines in the coming weeks,” said Scott Bookman, director, Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response “We will continue to use the supply we have on hand as we get it from the federal government. We aren’t delaying as now is the time to prevent the spread of monkeypox.”
CDPHE continues to work with federal partners to further increase the number of vaccine doses in the state. At this time, the federal government is allocating vaccines by state based on population and prevalence of monkeypox.
Anyone can get monkeypox through close contact with someone who has the virus. At this time, epidemiological data on recent cases suggest there is a heightened risk for men who are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men who have recently had multiple or anonymous sex partners.
Eligible, high-risk Coloradans must request an appointment online. The request process includes a symptom screening form where Coloradans can self-attest to their eligibility, and receive a follow-up confirmation email to schedule a vaccine appointment. Those who are unable to receive vaccination at these clinics and think or know they have been exposed to monkeypox should contact a health care provider as soon as possible.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is a fully FDA-approved two-dose vaccine, with doses given four weeks apart — CDPHE will send information to people who received vaccinations regarding the timing of their second dose. The vaccine can help keep people from getting sick at all if they receive it within four days of exposure to the monkeypox virus. If they get the vaccine between four and 14 days after exposure, it can help prevent severe illness but may not completely prevent infection.
Monkeypox may begin with flu-like symptoms that can include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion. Typically a rash or skin bumps develop within one to three days after the onset of fever, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body. Monkeypox can look like syphilis, herpes, blisters, or even acne. In recent cases, additional symptoms have not always occurred before the rash or bumps if they have occurred at all. Coloradans should contact a health care provider and avoid physical contact with others if they think they have been exposed to monkeypox or are experiencing symptoms.
For more information, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/monkeypox.
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