Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) Commissioner Judith Persichilli expanded the criteria for receiving the monkeypox vaccine and the state’s distribution plan for the 2,700 doses available.
Previously, the vaccine was only available to residents with known exposure to a case of monkeypox.
Now, the JYNNEOS vaccine will also be available to New Jerseyans who are at high risk of having been exposed to the virus in the past 14 days. There are currently 45 probable and confirmed cases of the virus in New Jersey.
“As monkeypox cases continue to rise and our state receives additional doses from the federal government, we are taking these critical steps to increase the availability of the vaccine to protect the health of residents,” Governor Murphy said. “As my administration works to raise awareness of monkeypox, we encourage our health care and community partners to help spread the word about the symptoms, risks, and availability of tests and vaccines. We will continue to prioritize the health of our communities and take steps to help and reach residents most at risk from this virus,” he added.
For residents with known exposure to a person with monkeypox, the two-dose post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimen continues to be available through your local health department. Anyone with a known exposure in the past 14 days should contact their health care provider or local health department regarding testing and vaccine eligibility. Local health departments will continue to conduct contact tracing and offer the vaccine to anyone identified as a close contact.
For residents without a confirmed exposure who believe they may have been exposed or are at high risk of having been exposed to monkeypox in the past 14 days, the vaccine is now available through three community partners by appointment only.
New Jersey awaits additional doses from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and as the State obtains an additional supply, the Department will continue to expand access to the vaccine.
- In addition to people who have been exposed to someone with monkeypox, and in accordance with CDC guidelines, the vaccine is now available for: Individuals who attended an event where there was a known exposure to monkeypox bow.
- Individuals who identify as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men (MSM) and/or transgender, gender non-conforming or non-binary and who have a history of multiple or anonymous sexual partners in the last 14 days.
- People who have a condition that may increase the risk of serious illness if infected with monkeypox virus, such as a condition that weakens the immune system or a history of atopic dermatitis, should be given high priority for vaccination if they have exposure risk. as indicated above.
For these residents, information about immunization appointments through the expanded PEP program is available through the three community partners:
- Fundación Hyacinth AIDS/Project Living Out Loud!, Jersey City: 201-706-3480
- The Prevention Resource Network, a program of the Central Jersey Visiting Nurses Association, Asbury Park: 732-502-5100
- North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI), Newark: 973-483-3444, ext. 200
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, part of the orthopox virus family, which can affect anyone.
The virus can cause flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that often starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. Monkeypox is not easily spread to people without close contact.
Although many of the current cases have been found in people who identify themselves as men who have sex with men, monkeypox can be spread by direct contact from any infected person to any other person. It can also be spread by touching clothing, bedding, towels, or surfaces that have been exposed to someone with the virus.
People who think they may have been exposed to monkeypox or who have symptoms should see a health care provider right away.
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