Latest: SFDPH Prioritizing First-Dose Monkeypox Vaccinations; City Department Expected to Offer Second Doses After Supply Increases

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As of this writing, there are an estimated 114 monkeypox cases in San Francisco, either confirmed or suspected. More than 35,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccination have been sought by the City, but so yet only 7,700 have been delivered.

Monkeypox, which has spread to 75 nations, was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) on July 23. Monkeypox cases in the United States haven’t been this high since 2003, when 47 confirmed and probable cases were reported from six states, according to the CDC.

At this point, there have been over 200 instances in the Bay Area, with San Francisco reporting the most, followed by Santa Clara and Alameda, which each only reported about ten cases in each county.

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But Jynneso’s two-dose monkeypox vaccines will be arriving in the Bay Area. There’s just not enough being made and transported to keep up with demand. For these reasons, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) stated Friday that it will provide initial doses before expanding its immunization program to accommodate appointments for the second dosage.

According to a press release from the City’s public health department, the first dose of Jynneos vaccine will be prioritized to as many at-risk persons as possible and second dose appointments will be delayed until sufficient supply is obtained. “It is hoped that this approach, in light of the rapid rise in cases and the extremely limited supply of vaccines, will allow more people to receive a dosage. It is supported by the CDPH, as well as by New York City, the United Kingdom, and Canada, and is in line with their own policies.”

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We made this decision because of the overwhelming body of research showing that a single dose of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine can produce a powerful immune response that can last for years.

SF-based communities will be notified as soon as vaccine supplies for the final two doses of the series are available by SFDPH and vaccine partners, as promised to the general public. There is no need to continue the series once a single dose is given, even if the second dose is given after a minimum of four weeks has passed.

sf.gov/monkeypox has a wealth of information on monkeypox in San Francisco, including how to avoid infection, vaccination eligibility, and case counts.

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Vaccination against monkeypox takes place on the 23rd of July 2022 in London, England, as shown in the photo. As the number of people infected with monkeypox in London rises, the National Health Service (NHS) is stepping up its vaccination efforts. Smallpox and monkeypox are both members of the same viral family. Hollie Adams/Getty Images, a photo by )

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