The Northern Kentucky Health Department (NKY Health) is administering monkeypox vaccinations to eligible individuals by appointment at its four health centers located in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties.
The supply of Jynneos vaccine remains limited at this time, NKY Health said, but should increase in the weeks ahead.
To date, NKY Health has given over 400 monkeypox vaccinations to individuals considered to be at greater risk for contracting the virus, an announcement said.
The primary risk group is men who have sex with men, which currently makes up approximately 98% of known cases, the health department said. Eligible individuals include those who have had high-risk contact with a positive case, individuals who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners recently, individuals who have been diagnosed with an sexually transmitted infection in the past twelve months, individuals who are being treated with PrEP for HIV, and those who have a reasonable suspicion of recent skin-to-skin contact with a known or suspected case of monkeypox, the announcement said.
Those interested in getting vaccinated should call 859-363-2040 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Vaccinations are by appointment only and openings are available now. Because vaccine supply is limited at this time, appointments are scheduled based on a screening for risk factors, NKY Health said.
Appointment availability and criteria will expand as vaccine supplies increase.
“It is extremely important that individuals who are at the greatest risk to this illness take advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Steve Divine, interim district director of health. “We want to help protect these folks and to continue efforts to reduce outbreaks through preventing further transmission”.
NKY Health has had one confirmed monkeypox case so far within its four-county jurisdiction and there have been at least 15 known cases in all of Kentucky.
Additional information on Monkeypox can be found at nkyhealth.org/monkeypox and by calling the Kentucky Monkeypox Hotline at 844-520-6670. The health department said to contact your medical provider if you have concerns or questions about monkeypox specific to your health and situation.