Beebe Healthcare to Offer Monkeypox Vaccine Clinics for Community

Beebe Healthcare will be organizing Monkeypox vaccine clinics for the community. Registration is required and to make an appointment visit beebehealthcare.org/online-scheduling starting Monday, Aug. 22.

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.

To be eligible for the vaccine, individuals must fall under the guidelines set by the Division of Public Health (DPH). Currently, individuals who are living with HIV, as well as those receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV are eligible. On Aug. 22, per DPH guidelines, eligibility will expand to:

• 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)
• Staff (of any sexual orientation/gender) at establishments where sexual activity occurs (e.g., bathhouses, saunas, sex clubs)

If any individual believes they are eligible for this first wave of vaccinations and has questions, they may contact their primary care provider or call the DPH hotline at 866-408-1899. For an appointment, schedule online at Beebe. 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
• 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, which is in 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 – meaning 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 more information from Beebe, go to the Public Health Information page for a recording of the town hall and resource directory. Additionally, the DPH hotline is a great resource for individuals with questions or concerns. The hotline number is 866-408-1899 and is operational Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Questions may also be emailed to [email protected].