25,000 Vaccines Available – NBC 7 Miami (51)

MIAMI.- Florida has 25,000 doses of vaccines to combat the expansion of monkeypox, which in this state has recorded 208 cases to date, one of the most affected in the United States and only behind New York and California. .

The medical director of the Pinellas County Health Department in Florida, Ulyee Choe, reported Wednesday in a teleconference that federal health authorities have sent that number of doses with the aim of dealing with monkeypox, which continues to advance. in this state.

“Monkeypox is a serious health threat,” Choe stressed, adding that the shipment received will make it possible to address public health problems that may occur in Florida.

“Vaccines are available” in Florida, the doctor insisted, in addition to indicating that there are human groups, such as homosexual men, among whom it is easier for the disease to spread.

In any case, he said, “direct contact is necessary and with secretions, such as saliva,” said the official on the form of contagion.

The expert stressed that, despite the health threat posed by this disease, Florida authorities have the means to combat it.

He specified that priority is given in vaccination to people who have had close contact with someone infected with the disease and those considered high risk.

The most threatened groups are HIV-positive patients and health workers treating monkeypox patients without adequate personal protective equipment.

The specialist indicated that the expansion of monkeypox in Florida is very uneven, since there are counties with zero cases and others where the incidence is felt more.

“The arrival of the vaccines will help to face the situation in Florida,” stressed the medical chief.

The main symptom is a painful rash that can develop into blisters, lasts for several weeks and usually appears on the face, inside the mouth or on other parts of the body, according to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Joined.

An infected person may also experience symptoms similar to those of a cold or flu.

Infections are rarely fatal and more than 99% of people who become infected are likely to survive, according to the US health agency.

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