By Jose R. Gonzalez | Arizona Republic
Amid a worldwide monkeypox outbreak, just over 2,000 doses of a vaccine have been administered in several Arizona counties, and additional vaccination events have been scheduled for the following weeks.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health has administered more than 2,100 doses, according to spokeswoman Sonia Singh. MCDPH has received an allocation of little more than 2,900 doses of the JYNEEOS vaccine to administer to high-risk residents in Maricopa, Pinal, Gila and La Paz counties, Singh explained.
As of Friday morning, there were 28 confirmed cases of monkeypox and 14 probable cases, according to MCDPH. The first reported case in Maricopa County was on June 7.
Monkeypox in Arizona:Vaccine’s limited supply concerns health officials as cases rise
Monkeypox can cause a rash resembling pimples or blisters, sometimes with a flu-like illness, and spreads through direct contact with a monkeypox rash, scabs or body fluids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contact can be made through physically intimate activity like sex, according to the CDC.
MCDPH medical epidemiologist Dr. Nick Staab previously spoke to The Arizona Republic about monkeypox vaccine supplies.
