In response to the continuing spread of monkeypox in the United States, the CDC has begun a vaccination campaign. As part of this response, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) is distributing vaccine here in the Commonwealth and Fenway Health is one of four sites in Eastern Massachusetts who have been allotted a very limited number of Jynneos Vaccine doses. This is a critical step in safeguarding our patients, clients, and communities we serve.
These vaccines are currently available to individuals who live or work in Massachusetts who meet eligibility requirements established by the CDC:
- Known contacts of monkeypox cases identified by public health via case investigation, contact tracing, and risk exposure assessments. This may include sexual partners, household contacts, and health care workers.
- Presumed contacts who meet the following criteria:
- Know that a sexual partner in the past 14 days was diagnosed with monkeypox; or
- Had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days in a jurisdiction with known monkeypox.
If you think you might be eligible for a vaccine and would like to receive one from Fenway Health, appointments can be made by calling 617.927.6060, Monday through Friday, between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Update from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health – First Dose Strategy effective August 8, 2022
While the vaccine is approved as a two-dose series, given the severely limited national supply of JYNNEOS, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and our vaccine partners are prioritizing first doses for as many people as possible. This approach is intended to provide the broadest possible protection against the spread of monkeypox virus in Massachusetts and is consistent with a growing number of states, jurisdictions, and large municipalities.
For individuals with moderate to severe immune compromise (e.g. individuals living with HIV infection who are not virologically suppressed, persons on chemotherapy, and individuals who have recently received an organ transplant), second doses should still be administered using the 28-day dosing interval. Second doses for others will be made available as soon as possible when more doses are available from the CDC. A second dose given weeks to months after the primary dose will still result in boosting and provide long-term immunity.
Please note: as of August 8, second dose appointments that are already scheduled will be honored and not canceled. No new second dose appointments will be scheduled until additional vaccine is available.
You can learn more and find information on other DPH monkeypox vaccine sites in Massachusetts at mass.gov/monkeypox.
