The latest on monkeypox in Florida: state records pediatric case, expands vaccine supply (2024)

WUSF | By Stephanie Colombini

PublishedAugust 16, 2022 at 6:23 PM EDT

So far 1,317 people in Florida have tested positive for monkeypox, according to an update Tuesday from the Florida Department of Health. Vaccine supply remains limited, but officials hope a change in how shots are administered makes them more accessible.

Health officials are now advising doctors to inject the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine between adult patients' skin layers instead of underneath them.

Intradermal injection can be done using less vaccine than subcutaneous, so doctors can get more doses out of one vial, explained Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County and statewide medical director for county health systems.

Speaking to reporters on a press call, Choe said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently granted emergency authorization for this change in delivery after research showed it’s effective.

“Converting and providing the vaccines intradermally is a game changer, what it essentially does is that increases the vaccine supply five-fold just by doing that conversion,” said Choe, who added health officials are educating providers around the state about how to administer the vaccines in this way.

Of the more than 1,300 cases in Florida, 99% are in men and nearly 75% live in Miami-Dade or Broward counties, said Choe. Most of these individuals are men who have sex with men, a group that includes people who identify as gay, bisexual, transgender and nonbinary. Just over half of people who have tested positive for the virus are also living with HIV.

Shots are still limited to those at highest risk for infection including people who have been exposed to monkeypox, men who have sex with men who are also positive for HIV or had a recent diagnosis of a sexually-transmitted infection, or health and laboratory workers who may come in close contact with the virus.

Florida has received a little fewer than 65,000 doses of vaccine, so far, according to Choe, with a large portion of those going to the hardest hit areas of the state. The state is working with health care providers who treat members of the LGBTQ community and who treat people living with HIV to assist in vaccine distribution and educate patients about monkeypox prevention and treatment.

In the Tampa Bay region, 57 people have tested positive for monkeypox in Hillsborough, 51 in Pinellas, six in Polk, four in Pasco and one in both Sarasota and Citrus counties.

Pediatric case reported in Florida

The state reported its first case in a young child on Tuesday. The patient is younger than five and tested positive in Martin County. The state has also recorded eight cases in the 15-19 age group.

While health officials want everyone to take measures to protect themselves against infection, they stress it's rare for kids to get it.

Only a handful of the nearly 12,000 cases nationally have been among children.

Choe didn’t comment on the case in Martin County specifically during the call, but said pediatric cases typically stem from contact at home with someone infected with the virus.

Monkeypox isn't as contagious as, say, the coronavirus, which spreads through the air. People need to have prolonged contact with someone who has monkeypox lesions or their clothing or linens.

“From what I’ve reviewed in some of the literature and some of the expert opinions is they don't believe that schools, especially the K-12, are going to be big drivers of this,” said Choe.

Schools have protocol in general for dealing with students that present with rashes, Choe said.

The FDA has also granted emergency use authorization for the JYNNEOS vaccine in kids younger than 18 determined to be at high risk for monkeypox infection, but it must be administered subcutaneously.

While treatment for monkeypox remains limited to high-risk individuals, Choe said testing for the virus has become much more widely available in recent weeks.

Resources

The Florida Department of Health has a webpage that contains information on monkeypoxsymptoms and prevention, as does the Centers for Disease Control.

You can find out how many cases of monkeypox have been reported in your county and search by age group on the state's Reportable Diseases Frequency Report.

The CDC tracks monkeypox cases nationally.

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County is offering monkeypox vaccines on a walk-in basis at its St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Mid County, and Clearwater Health Departments between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Bring picture ID and go to the front desk/admitting for registration. Call 727-824-6931 or click here for more information.

The latest on monkeypox in Florida: state records pediatric case, expands vaccine supply (2024)

FAQs

Am I protected from monkeypox if I was vaccinated for smallpox? ›

Based on a report, the smallpox vaccine can provide around 85% protection against monkeypox [10].

What is the latest vaccine for monkeypox? ›

The JYNNEOS® vaccine is a two-dose vaccine series. The two doses are administered four weeks apart for maximum effectiveness. Someone who receives the JYNNEOS® vaccine is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose.

Does the JYNNEOS vaccine cause monkeypox? ›

The vaccine contains vaccinia virus, a virus related to the mpox and smallpox viruses, that has been weakened, cannot copy itself in human cells, and cannot spread to other parts of the body or people. The vaccine cannot cause mpox, smallpox or vaccinia in the person getting vaccinated or those around them.

How many cases of monkeypox are reported in Florida? ›

In Hillsborough County, there have been 37 documented monkeypox cases. Pinellas County has recorded 36 cases of monkeypox. Four cases have been recorded in Polk County. As of December 7th, 2022, there have been a total 2,829 documented cases of mpox in Florida.

Can you get monkeypox if you are fully vaccinated? ›

No vaccine is 100% effective, so in rare cases (less than 1 percent), people who have been fully vaccinated with both doses do get mpox.

How many vaccines does a child get in their lifetime? ›

Your kids will get more than 50 shots before they enter adulthood. That's a lot of needles! This chart outlines which vaccines are recommended at each age. Or skip to your child's age below to learn which immunizations are necessary and why.

How many times can you get monkeypox vaccine? ›

JYNNEOS is usually administered as a series of 2 injections, 4 weeks apart. People who have received smallpox vaccine in the past might only need 1 dose. Booster doses are recommended every 2 or 10 years if a person remains at continued risk for exposure to smallpox, monkeypox, or other orthopoxviruses.

How long is the monkeypox vaccine good for? ›

The expiration date is found on the vial; however, the Beyond Use Date once refrigerated is 8 weeks and the vaccine should be discarded.

Is monkeypox vaccine one or two doses? ›

JYNNEOS vaccine is licensed as a series of two doses administered 28 days (4 weeks) apart. The standard regimen involves a subcutaneous (Subcut) route of administration with an injection volume of 0.5mL.

What are the cons of monkeypox vaccine? ›

The most common side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. Severe allergic reactions following vaccination are rare, but can be life threatening. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness.

How much does JYNNEOS cost? ›

Jynneos dosage forms

The average cost for 1 vial of 0.5ml of Jynneos is $9.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 96.22% off the average retail price of $237.84.

Can you get mpox twice? ›

We do not yet have a clear understanding whether a previous monkeypox infection gives you immunity against future infections and if so, for how long. There have been some cases of second infections reported. Even if you have had mpox in the past, you should be doing everything you can to avoid getting re-infected.

How did children get monkeypox? ›

The most common mode of exposure for children <12 years was close physical contact with an adult household member with mpox, while for adolescents the most common exposure was through male-to-male sexual contact.

Which US state has the most monkeypox cases? ›

The United States has the highest number of mpox cases in the world. California has the highest number of mpox cases in the United States.

Can babies get monkey pox? ›

While children aren't at high risk for contracting monkeypox, they are still susceptible to the virus, and in fact young children are at increased risk for more severe outcomes if they become infected.

How long does smallpox vaccine protect against monkeypox? ›

JYNNEOS is usually administered as a series of 2 injections, 4 weeks apart. People who have received smallpox vaccine in the past might only need 1 dose. Booster doses are recommended every 2 or 10 years if a person remains at continued risk for exposure to smallpox, monkeypox, or other orthopoxviruses.

Is the smallpox vaccine good for life? ›

Smallpox vaccination provides full immunity for 3 to 5 years and decreasing immunity thereafter. If a person is vaccinated again later, immunity lasts even longer. Historically, the vaccine has been effective in preventing smallpox infection in 95% of those vaccinated.

How long does the monkey pox vaccine last? ›

The expiration date is found on the vial; however, the Beyond Use Date once refrigerated is 8 weeks and the vaccine should be discarded.

Is the monkeypox vaccine the same as the smallpox vaccine? ›

Vaccines. Two vaccines may be used to prevent mpox: JYNNEOS® vaccine is licensed to prevent smallpox and mpox and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for certain people at risk for exposure to orthopoxvirus infections, including mpox.

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