Beebe offering monkeypox vaccines for eligible individuals

Beebe Healthcare is organizing monkeypox vaccine clinics for those eligible under expanded guidelines set by the state Division of Public Health.

Registration is required. To make an appointment, go to beebehealthcare.org/online-scheduling. There is a nominal fee covered by insurance.

As of press time, there are currently 11 cases in the state of Delaware. This is a public health concern for all populations; however, not everyone will need to be vaccinated, as the virus spreads less easily than other infectious diseases like COVID-19 or influenza. Spread is primarily through direct contact with an infected person and rarely from respiratory transmission. Typically, the virus does not cause hospitalization or serious illness.

While previously limited to individuals who are living with HIV, as well as those receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, vaccine eligibility has expanded to include: gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and have had multiple (more than one) or any anonymous sexual partners; transgender women or nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men; sex workers of any sexual orientation/gender; and staff of any sexual orientation/gender at establishments where sexual activity occurs such as bathhouses, saunas and sex clubs. 

Any individual who believes they are eligible for this first wave of vaccinations and has questions may contact their primary care provider or call the DPH hotline at 866-408-1899. For an appointment, go to beebehealthcare.org/online-scheduling. There is a nominal fee covered by insurance.

Vaccination is not the only measure of prevention against the virus. It is always best to practice good hygiene by washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer. Everyone can take certain precautions to protect themselves, such as: limiting direct contact with anyone with a concerning rash; limiting the number of intimate partners; talking openly with intimate contacts about recent behaviors; and not sharing bedding, towels and eating or drinking utensils with anyone who may have had an interaction in this list or with someone who has monkeypox.

The vaccine approved by the FDA to help prevent monkeypox is Jynneos, which is also fully approved by the FDA for use against smallpox, part of the same family of viruses as monkeypox. Smallpox vaccinations from years ago will not likely provide protection.

Following federal guidelines, Beebe will administer the vaccine intradermally, which means under the skin. This method allows clinicians to use 1/5 the dose at the same effectiveness as a normal shot in the arm, providing more vaccine access to the community while supplies are limited. This is a two-dose series, with the second vaccine provided 28 days after the first.

For a recording of the Beebe Healthcare town hall and resource directory on monkeypox, go to beebehealthcare.org.

The DPH hotline is a great resource for individuals with questions or concerns; calls are taken from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, at 866-408-1899. For details, email DPHCall@delaware.gov.