FirstHealth of the Carolinas is now offering Jynneos monkey pox vaccines by appointment only to eligible residents.
Vaccines are available to protect against monkey pox or to reduce disease severity.
Because vaccine supply is limited, vaccinations are available to residents who meet the following North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services vaccine eligibility criteria:
*Anyone who had close contact in the past two weeks with someone who has been diagnosed with monkey pox; or
*Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals, who are sexually active; or
*People who have had sexual contact with gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals in the past 90 days; or
*People living with HIV, or taking medication to prevent HIV (PrEP), or who were diagnosed with syphilis in the past 90 days.
The Jynneos monkey pox vaccine is a two-dose vaccine. The second dose should be received 28 days or more after the first dose.
Individuals who meet vaccine eligibility criteria can call the FirstHealth Infectious Diseases clinic at (910) 715-5481 to schedule a vaccine.
Photo by Sandhills Sentinel Photographer Melissa Schaub.
Contributed.
