Monkeypox Vaccine Availability Expands in NH

The state of New Hampshire has expanded the availability and eligibility of the monkeypox vaccine.

Individuals at high risk of infection and those who are known to have had exposure to someone with confirmed monkeypox are now eligible for the vaccine called JYNNEOS.

“The JYNNEOS vaccine is safe and effective at preventing monkeypox. However, because it takes time for vaccine protection to develop and because no vaccine is 100% effective, people should continue to take steps to reduce their chance for exposure and limit their number of sex partners.” State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said in a statement.

Those seeking the monkeypox vaccination should first get a referral from a healthcare provider. Besides municipal health departments, the vaccine is available at eight Convenient MD locations in Dover, Portsmouth, Belmont, Concord, Keene, Littleton, Manchester, and Nashua. Four additional Convenient MD locations in Stratham, Bedford, Londonderry, Merrimack, and Windham will also have shots available Sept.7.

To be eligible for vaccine in the state, individuals must live, work, or have a primary healthcare provider in New Hampshire.

The monkeypox virus continues to spread primarily through sexual networks among persons who identify as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, according to Chan.

As of Friday there are 19 confirmed cases in New Hampshire, 5 in Maine, and 280 in Massachusetts, according to the CDC.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH