Boston-based Massachusetts Normal Hospital this week started vaccinating some workers in opposition to monkeypox who have been in shut contact with a affected person recognized with the virus, The Boston Globe reported Might 26.
Beforehand, the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine had been used within the U.S. solely in scientific trials, Brett Petersen, MD, deputy chief of the CDC’s Poxvirus department, confirmed to the newspaper.
The employees have been in shut contact with the male affected person, who was hospitalized at Massachusetts Normal Hospital from Might 12-20.
As of Might 25, the CDC had recognized 9 monkeypox instances in seven states, in accordance with CNN. The recognized instances embody the one in Massachusetts in addition to instances in Florida, Utah, Washington, California, Virginia and New York.
In Boston, Massachusetts Normal Hospital officers separated doubtlessly uncovered staff into teams based mostly on threat degree, and as of Might 26, fewer than 10 staff had been vaccinated, Paul Biddinger, MD, chief preparedness and continuity officer for Mass Normal Brigham, instructed the Globe.
Dr. Biddinger additionally known as the hassle “fairly labor intensive,” telling the newspaper, “It took an enormous variety of individuals working all final week and thru the weekend to verify we may ship the vaccines to those that wished it and wanted it.”
The vaccine the employees acquired is permitted in adults 18 and older, in accordance with the CDC. It’s administered as two subcutaneous injections 4 weeks aside.
Learn the complete Globe report right here.