What is the aerosol and droplet risk in COVID-19 transmission? – News-Medical.Net

What is the aerosol and droplet risk in COVID-19 transmission? – News-Medical.Net

What were the effects of COVID-19 on our food choices? – News-Medical.Net

What were the effects of COVID-19 on our food choices? – News-Medical.Net

October 3, 2022

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers proposed a protocol to assess the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on eating behavior and food choices.

Research suggests that some individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) develop sensory symptoms like the loss of taste/smell. Sensory changes significantly affect dietary choices, impacting diet quality and energy/macronutrient intake. Yet, the effects of COVID-19 on dietary preferences remain poorly understood.

New Zealand transitioned to a minimization and protection strategy in December 2021, mandating masking and vaccination requirements in high-risk settings. This was accompanied by easing border curbs and quarantine measures for citizens returning from overseas. COVID-19 cases surged from February 2022 and peaked on March 6, 2022, at 22,025 new infections.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, smell/taste changes were deemed distinctive COVID-19 symptoms. Various meta-analyses have noted sensory changes as highly prevalent. However, the prevalence of sensory changes varies across regions and might be less common in infections with recent SARS-CoV-2 variants.

For instance, sensory changes have been observed in 55% of Europeans with COVID-19 to 11% of Australian COVID-19 patients. While sensory changes resolve within months of diagnosis, studies have noted long-term effects of COVID-19 on taste/smell even after recovery. Long-term taste/smell dysfunction could significantly impact the quality of life.

In the present study, researchers proposed to survey the dietary behavior of university students and provided a protocol for the same. Data from SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals would be compared to the pre-existing data available at the Sensory Neuroscience Laboratory from July 2017 to July 2021, beforewidespread SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

A retrospective cohort analysis would be implemented to compare pre-existing cohort data (pre-COVID-19) with post-COVID-19 data among university students. Post-COVID-19 data would be collected via in-person visits, online surveys, or food records. Participants would primarily be sampled from the University of Otago, New Zealand.

Eligible participants would be SARS-CoV-2-infected (PCR-confirmed) and healthy university students (aged 18 or above). Exclusion criteria will be 1) age below 18 years, 2) regular medication for a physical condition, 3) chronic sensory dysfunction, 4) diagnosis of an eating disorder, and 5) currently undertaking a weight-gain/loss dietary program.

Participant recruitment strategies involve flyers, social media, and word of mouth. All adverts would contain a link to fill in details and provide e-consent. Upon submission of the e-consent form, an online survey link will be sent automatically.

The sensory science laboratory collected the pre-COVID-19 data at the University of Otago, and consent was available from participants to use their data in the future for research purposes. The sample size will be 920, including 326 SARS-CoV-2-exposed participants. The primary outcome of the investigation will be energy intake, evaluated using a 24-hour weighted food record, which is a validated assessment of dietary intake.

Subjects will visit the laboratory to obtain food record(s) and instructions. Responses would be converted to daily energy intake. Secondary outcomes will include a healthy eating index, alcohol consumption, and the intake of fats, proteins, fibers, carbohydrates, sugars, salts, micronutrients, animal proteins, and plant-based protein.

Besides the food records, the eating behavior of the participants will be assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. The body mass index (BMI) will also be computed. Pre-COVID-19 cohort data will be used for baseline demographics.

Individuals in the post-COVID-19 cohort will complete a (baseline) survey providing information on demographics and experiences with COVID-19 and sensory dysfunction. Moreover, perceived changes in eating behavior and food preferences since before the COVID-19 pandemic will be documented.

Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) will be used to compare total energy intake per day between cohorts by controlling for gender, age, and ethnicity. Additionally, sub-group analyses will be conducted to analyze the specific effects of public health measures in the absence of infection. Participants will be excluded from the study if they have missing/incomplete data on food records.

It is critical to understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 on nutrition and food preferences to ensure that health measures are effective against COVID-19 and future outbreaks. Further, it remains challenging to conduct controlled cohort studies given the high prevalence of undetected infections, and the proposed protocol provides an opportunity to investigate COVID-19-associated eating behavior changes.

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.


Here is the original post: What were the effects of COVID-19 on our food choices? - News-Medical.Net
Delayed Medical Care And Unmet Care Needs Due To The COVID-19 Pandemic Among Adults With Disabilities In The US – healthaffairs.org
Coronavirus Roundup: White House Says It Hasn’t Given Up on COVID-19 Funding – GovExec.com

Coronavirus Roundup: White House Says It Hasn’t Given Up on COVID-19 Funding – GovExec.com

October 1, 2022

The stopgap funding agreement to keep the government open past Friday does not have the Biden administrations requested funding for monkeypox or COVID-19. Earlier this month, the White Houseasked for $22.4 billion for COVID-related needs and $4.5 billion for monkeypox.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked during a briefing on Tuesday if the White House has given up on that funding? Our near-term priority is keeping the government open -- we've been very clear about that, she replied. We've been very clear since early 2022 about our COVID funding needs and have warned that, without congressional action, we would be forcedto make difficult trade-offs.

Already, there have been cuts to the testing program and being unable to take action that Republicans and Democrats support to have the United States lead the effort on the next generation of vaccine, the next generation of treatments, Jean-Pierre noted. And so, we're not going to give up. Here are some of the other recent headlines you might have missed.

The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee announced on Tuesday that Elaine Howle, former California State Auditor, will serve as a special advisor to the committee for state, local, tribal, and territorial oversight. Also, two auditors from the Tennessee Comptrollers office joined the committees new auditor-in-residence program. These are both first-of-their-kind initiatives that bring together federal, state, and local auditors to advance coordinated oversight of pandemic spending, said the committee in a press release.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency took action to address inequities in minority and disadvantaged communities with respect to the locations of community COVID vaccine centers, the Homeland Security inspector generalsaid in a report published on Wednesday. FEMAs Civil Rights Advisory Group implemented a methodology that prioritized states based on the [Centers for Disease Control and Preventions social vulnerability index], which sought to address differences in coronavirus disease 2019 care and outcomes within communities of color and other underserved populations. Also, the agencys strategic plan for 2022-2026 outlines objectives for instilling equity in emergency management, among other actions FEMA is taking for future planning. The agency concurred with the IGs two recommendations for further action.

Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna have both now submitted applications to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization for their updated COVID-19 boosters for kids. Pfizer's booster is for kids ages 5 to 11 and Modernas is for kids ages 6 to 17.

The new director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons testified on Thursday that as of earlier this month, almost 66% of federal inmates and 80% of employees are fully vaccinated. With possible monkeypox exposure in the prison system, BOP is working to ensure theyve learned lessons from COVID-19, Director Colette Peters said before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Despite President Bidens remarks that the pandemic is over, the Pentagon is pressing ahead with its policy, first enacted in March 2020, to help contractors mitigate the economic effects of the pandemic,Bloomberg reported on Monday.

The Defense Department was inconsistent and ineffective in verifying or crafting businesses as critical to national security in order to receive certain loans from the CARES Act, the Pentagon's watchdog said in a report published this week, which it did in conjunction with the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery. [Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment] officials were unable to fully support the rationale used during the analysis or decision-making process. Ultimately, Treasury Department officials made the final decision to approve Section 4003 loans; however, Treasury officials relied on the analysis performed by [acquisition and sustainment] officials to initiate the loan underwriting process, said the report. Furthermore, the DoDs lack of a documented definition and documentation trail put the Treasury Department at risk of potentially providing loans to companies that were not critical to maintaining national security.

Help us understand the situation better. Are you a federal employee, contractor or military member with information, concerns, etc. about how your agency is handling the coronavirus? Email us at newstips@govexec.com.


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MDHHS announces additional free COVID-19 tests available for all Michiganders through Rockefeller Foundation partnership – Michigan (.gov)

MDHHS announces additional free COVID-19 tests available for all Michiganders through Rockefeller Foundation partnership – Michigan (.gov)

October 1, 2022

LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is announcing the availability of an additional 289,000 COVID-19 tests through its expanded partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation throughProject Act.

The expansion will provide COVID-19 tests to 58,000 households located anywhere in the state free of charge. Households will receive one kit containing five tests.

We are pleased to announce the availability of these additional COVID-19 tests through our partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. Testing remains a critical tool in managing the spread of COVID-19 and reduces the risk of spreading the virus to our loved ones and neighbors. We encourage residents to take advantage of these free tests as we head into the fall season when respiratory diseases, like COVID-19, spread most easily.

As we head into the fall, MDHHS encourage Michigan families to have a COVID plan.This includes keeping a supply of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests and well-fitting masks at home; staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters; and speaking to their health care provider about their eligibility for therapeutics that reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

All households in the state of Michigan can order their free COVID-19 tests throughAccessCovidTests.org. Each household will receive one kit with five tests, typically within a week of ordering. Individuals without internet access can contact 211for assistance ordering tests.

MDHHS continues to partner with libraries across the state to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to Michiganders.Click herefor a list of participating libraries.

Private health insurers arerequired to cover up to eight at-home COVID-19 tests per month for each person covered by a health plan. Check with your insurer for the most up-to-date information for your specific plan.

For more information about testing, visitMichigan.gov/Coronavirus.

# # #


Originally posted here: MDHHS announces additional free COVID-19 tests available for all Michiganders through Rockefeller Foundation partnership - Michigan (.gov)
CDC says high community level of COVID-19 in the Berkshires – Berkshire Eagle

CDC says high community level of COVID-19 in the Berkshires – Berkshire Eagle

October 1, 2022

CDC says high community level of COVID soread in the Berkshires

PITTSFIELD Berkshire County has a high community level of COVID-19, according to the newest weekly data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To determine the community level, the CDC uses a combination of the case rate per 100,000 people, the new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 hospitalizations and the percentage of beds in use by COVID-19 patients.

This week there are 238 new cases and 11 new hospitalizations per 100,000 residents and 4 percent of hospital beds in the county are in use by COVID-19 patients.

Berkshire County is the only county in Massachusetts with a high transmission level, but neighboring Rensselaer and Columbia counties in New York, as well as Bennington County in Vermont also have high transmission rates. Massachusetts counties Franklin and Hampshire have medium community levels, while Hampden has low community levels.

The CDC recommends that in this situation people wear a mask indoors while in public, get tested when symptoms arise and take additional precautions if at risk for severe illness.

Additionally, the CDC recommends staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. A booster shot for the Omicron variant was rolled out earlier this month, and is being distributed at Berkshire Health System for those who have already had two boosters.

According to CDC data, 76.5 percent of the population in Berkshire County has had at least one vaccine dose, while 61 percent are fully vaccinated.

To learn more about when, where and how to get vaccinated head to: www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/covid/vaccination-information


More: CDC says high community level of COVID-19 in the Berkshires - Berkshire Eagle
COVID-19 update: 3 deaths, 349 new cases on Cape and Islands – Cape Cod Times

COVID-19 update: 3 deaths, 349 new cases on Cape and Islands – Cape Cod Times

October 1, 2022

Updated COVID-19 booster shots have been authorized by the FDA

The FDA gave emergency authorization to a reformulated COVID booster shot that targets both the original virus and the BA.4 and BA.5 variants.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

There were 9,047 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, increasing the total number of cases to 1,878,650 since the pandemic began, the state Department of Public Health reported on Thursday.

In their weekly report, state officials also noted 1,293 new probable cases of coronavirus for a statewide total of 172,292.

As of Sept. 28, 245patients werehospitalized primarily with COVID-19-related illnesses, and 694total patients were hospitalized with the virus, the state agency reported.

Climate change: Rising seas, shrinking coasts: Take an augmented reality tour of damage caused by warming temperatures

Forty-eight patients were in intensive care units (ICUs), and 13 patients were intubated.

Closer to home, in Thursday's weekly report, state health officials said Barnstable County posted 331new coronavirus cases, for a total of 44,193 since the pandemic started. Dukes County (Martha's Vineyard) reported 14new coronavirus cases, for a to-date total of 4,144. Nantucket County reported fournew cases, for a total of 3,739.

Case numbers are higher than last weeks report, which showed 317 new cases on the Cape and Islands.

The states 14-day positivity rate was 7.68%. The 14-day positivity rate for Barnstable County came in at 9.3%, and 4.96% for Dukes and Nantucket counties.

Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis was treating 21 patients with coronavirus, none in the ICU. Falmouth Hospital reported sixpatients, none of whomwerein the ICU. Marthas Vineyard Hospital had onepatient. Nantucket Cottage Hospital had no patients being treated for coronavirus.

State health officials said Thursday there were 41 new deaths statewide among people with confirmed cases of COVID-19, increasing the total deaths to 20,292 since the pandemic began.

There were 19 deaths statewide from probable cases of COVID-19. The number of deaths from probable cases is 1,414 in Massachusetts.

Labor shortage: Can the migrants dropped off on Martha's Vineyard help solve the labor shortage?

Barnstable County posted three new deaths, the state agency reported. The total probable and confirmed deaths from COVID-19 is 660 in Barnstable County. There were no new deaths in Dukes and Nantucket counties combined, for a total fatality count of 22 since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The two-week COVID-19 case count, total case count and 14-day testing positivity rate for Cape Cod towns follows:

Barnstable (126; 11,360; 10.08%); Bourne (69; 4,204; 9.57%); Brewster (22; 1,727; 6.05%); Chatham (15; 1,035; 9.5%); Dennis (35; 2,747; 9.3%); Eastham (9; 600; 7.41%); Falmouth (81; 5,486; 7.63%); Harwich (17; 2,474; 7.95%); Mashpee (47; 3,066; 8.31%); Orleans (24; 934; 14.97%): Provincetown (less than five; 484; 1.64%); Sandwich (58; 4,166; 11.07%); Truro (less than five; 204; 5.56%); Wellfleet (five; 327; 7.94%) and Yarmouth (84; 5,379; 11.72%).

Contact Asad Jung at ajung@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @asajungcct.

Get the Cape Cod news that matters delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletters.


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COVID-19 update: 3 deaths, 349 new cases on Cape and Islands - Cape Cod Times
Study on the lung-function trajectories in COVID-19 patients – News-Medical.Net

Study on the lung-function trajectories in COVID-19 patients – News-Medical.Net

October 1, 2022

Cases with critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are often complicated due to the severe lung injury caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. COVID-19 has already claimed more than 6.5 million lives worldwide, but there is limited data on the long-term trajectories of lung function in COVID-19 survivors.

To address this gap, a recenteClinicalMedicinestudy analyzed the data from a prospective longitudinal cohort follow-up study of COVID-19 survivors over two years after infection.

The lung function rehabilitation after severe COVID-19 has attracted a lot of attention. Prior research has documented a gradual improvement with some abnormalities remaining. Two key limitations of this strand of research are limited sample size and a short follow-up period of around one year. Moreover, data on lung-function trajectories in patients after discharge are not available.

A thorough search of articles, published until July 5, 2022, was conducted on PubMed. Researchers could identify only seven longitudinal studies to assess the changes in lung function, over time, across at least two follow-up visits. However, the effects of lung-function impairment on exercise capacity and quality of life were uncertain. Further, no data were obtained on the long-term determinants and trajectories of lung-function changes.

In the present study, data from a large, longitudinal, 2-year study were analyzed. The dataset contained in-depth assessment reports of patients who recovered from COVID-19. The data were used to study actual values of forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), and total lung capacity (TLC). The participants were categorized into scale 3, scale 4, and scale 5-6 groups per a seven-category ordinal scale.

To conduct a comprehensive assessment of pulmonary function test (PFT), exercise capacity, dynamic changes in dyspnea symptoms, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were included and compared across the three groups. The exercise capacity was assessed by distance walked in 6 minutes (6MWD). Additionally, the potential factors influencing the recovery of lung function were explored, and trajectories of alterations in lung function in COVID-19 survivors were provided.

It was observed that 288 subjects improved PFT between 6 and 12 months of infection. The participants in the scale 5-6 group showed a marked higher increase of PFTs concerning the participants in scale three and scale four groups. Treatment with corticosteroids was identified to be a protective factor for the improvement of PFTs. But, despite the initial promising results, further research needs to be conducted to fully understand the role of corticosteroids in lung-function recovery.

Critical patients were observed to have significantly more dyspnea and reduced exercise capacity at six months. However, no difference was noted at two years. Mild reductions in PFTs did not seem to significantly affect HRQoL and exercise capacity.

The study documented a trend in the Post-COVID lung function change, i.e., a decline in PFTs between the first and second years after COVID-19, consistent with the lung function change of other SARS survivors. However, early lung rehabilitation after hospital discharge (6-12 months) was also emphasized, sometimes as early as during hospitalization.

The reduction in values of total lung capacity (TLC) and DLco were higher in COVID-19 survivors compared to age-related lung function decline in healthy adults. However, the duration of the 2-year follow-up was still short to best study the trajectories of lung function changes in COVID-19 survivors.

Regarding dyspnea, a marked difference was observed across the three groups in the first year after infection. More critical patients showed a greater improvement in 6MWD than others over two years. Higher age and female sex showed a negative relationship with 6MWD, which suggested that the recovery of exercise capacity post-COVID-19 could be driven by demographic characteristics.

The present study showed that the trajectories of post-COVID lung function varied across patients with different degrees of illness severity. A key limitation of the study was the lack of pre-COVID PFTs, which made it difficult to ascertain whether the lung recovered to the pre-COVID status.

Additionally, the follow-up sample size for PFT was small, owing to the loss of some survivors, which could have led to sampling bias. Lastly, the authors highlighted that this was a single-center study that considered hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the early stage of the pandemic. As a result, the representativeness of the cohort could be questioned, owing to the subsequent emergence of new variants of concern. However, the systematic error should be reduced due to the single-center nature of the study design.


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Study on the lung-function trajectories in COVID-19 patients - News-Medical.Net
Monkeypox vaccine side effects: What’s that lump and should you worry?

Monkeypox vaccine side effects: What’s that lump and should you worry?

October 1, 2022

Dr. Fauci explains why people are not protected from monkeypox

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, talked to USA TODAY about protection against monkeypox.

Ariana Triggs and Becky Kellogg, USA TODAY

If you've gotten vaccinated for monkeypox, you may befamiliar with "the lump."

Ever since the viral outbreak reached the U.S. this summer, many people have taken to social media to report side effects of the Jynneos vaccine, which can be injected intradermally (into the skin) or throughthe more traditional subcutaneous method (below the skin).

One common complaintis a red bumpat the injection sitelasting for two to three weeks, if notlonger. But experts reassure that it's nota "weird" or "permanent" reaction.

A temporary lump on your armis normal forany vaccination,but "it is particularly expected with the Jynneos vaccine," says Anthony Fortenberry, chief nursing officer at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. "This is a super common side effect."

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Induration, or an area of hardness at the injection site, is part of the body's immune response to vaccines.

"The body recognizes the viral material as foreign and sends immune cells to react against it,"says Dr. AdityaChandorkar, an assistant professor in the division of infectious diseases and international medicine at the University of Minnesota. "One of the consequences of this reaction (is) some degree of local reaction, leading to a lump/swelling.

"Its important to note that the presence or absence of the swelling is not a marker for how well the person is going to be protected by the vaccine."

Some people have reported tenderness, itching, pain or bruising on or around the lump. "That generally does resolve on its own," Fortenberry says. "You do want to avoid scratching it because that can cause further inflammation, delay healingand also cause infection, so you want to be cautious. And if it's causing pain, the recommendations are over-the-counter Tylenol or Motrin" to help with inflammation.

Jonathan Van Nesssays 'botched' monkeypox response 'fueled by homophobia and transphobia'

"Having a large, painless lump at the site of the injection is fairly common," Chandorkar says. "The original (Jynneos) vaccine studies reported some degree of local swelling in over half of the people who received the vaccine." Anecdotally, "most people have reported the lump going away after a week to two weeks. In almost all cases, the lump should go away by itself, and people should not need to see their physician."

If the bump is still present after more than two weeks, that's no cause for alarm. In fact, it's "really common," Fortenberry says, and should not deter people from receiving their second Jynennos dose four weeks after the first.

"So many people are having inflammation at the site for many weeks," Fortenberrysays. "For inflammation to occur for up to four weeks is such an expected side effect that clinical guidance (at vaccination sites) addresses that, by asking nurses to administer the shoton the other arm."

"Other side effects include muscle pain, headache, fatigue and nausea," Chandorkar says. "Although fevers and chills are reported, they are not the norm. They are only seen in 1% to 10% of patients."

The Jynneos vaccine produces side effects that"are comparable to most other vaccines," he adds. "(Reactionsare) generally far milder than what some experienced with the COVID-19 vaccines."

You should speak to a medical professional ifyou experiencefevers or chills for more than one to two days after getting the Jynneos vaccine,says Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Childrens Hospital and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

As for the lump, "if the pain becomes problematic, or if you see the redness worsen or spreading, including streaks of redness, you should contact your doctor," Hotez says.

Fortenberry stresses that severe adverse reactions to the Jynneos vaccine are "extremely rare," but you should call 911 immediately if you experiencedifficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face or throat, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness after getting vaccinated.

Although side effects such asthe lump might seem like a nuisance, they're much better than the alternative of getting monkeypox, which is an extremely painful infection with symptomsthat can lasttwo to fourweeks andrequiresquarantine.

"The best way to ensure you won't become infected is to get vaccinated," Hotez says. "Monkeypox, although rarely fatal, is a serious and debilitating infectious disease, and could require hospitalization."

And if you have any fears of potential side effects, don't hesitate to discuss them with medical personnel at your vaccination site.

"They have all the information necessary to provide reassurance and make sure everyone has very clear expectations around the vaccine," Fortenberry says. "We encourage everyone to complete their vaccine series if they're eligible for a second dose. Don't let side effects prohibit you from going back for your second dose and getting full immunity.It's super important to err on the side of reaching out to a medical provider if you have questions or concerns that's what we're here for.

"You don't have to manage this on your own with the internet."


View original post here: Monkeypox vaccine side effects: What's that lump and should you worry?
CDC Says Early Data Offers Positive Signs About Monkeypox Vaccine – The New York Times
8 monkeypox vaccine questions  and where to get it – Nebraska Medicine

8 monkeypox vaccine questions and where to get it – Nebraska Medicine

October 1, 2022

As of Sept. 15, there are 24 monkeypox cases in Douglas County.

Infectious diseases nurse practitioner Nikki Regan, MSN, APRN, NP-C, is leading monkeypox vaccine education and outreach in Nebraska Medicine clinics.

Get answers to the most common questions about the monkeypox vaccine. You can also protect yourself from monkeypox in other ways.

Yes. The JYNNEOS vaccine is approved for prevention of both monkeypox and smallpox. "Smallpox and monkeypox are in the same family of viruses," explains Regan. This vaccine has shown effectiveness in previous outbreaks of smallpox and monkeypox.

"We simply don't have enough to vaccinate the entire population," says Regan. "There's a lot of demand for it, so we're reserving vaccines for people at highest risk."

Monkeypox vaccines are available for the prevention of monkeypox both before and immediately after an exposure:

Post-exposure: You can get the vaccine up to 14 days after close contact with someone with monkeypox. Get the vaccine as soon as possible after exposure to get the best chance of preventing monkeypox or having a less severe illness. "Getting vaccinated within a couple days of exposure reduces the risk of developing monkeypox," says Regan.

Pre-exposure: Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP vaccinations are the majority of vaccinations right now. "Every health department has its own prioritization criteria. Here in the Omaha area, we are prioritizing people at high risk of monkeypox exposure including men or transgender people who have sex with men, especially if they have multiple partners or recent sexually transmitted infections," says Regan. "Check with your local health district to see how it's being distributed in your area."

How to get the monkeypox vaccine: Take the Douglas County Health Department survey. If you are eligible, they will reach out to you about where to get your vaccine. If you live outside of Douglas County, check with your provider or local health department.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is a two-dose series, given 28 days apart.

"The vaccine has a virus that's been weakened so it can't replicate in your body," says Regan. "The weakened virus can't make the person sick, and it can't spread to other people either. The weakened virus is there for the immune system to see it and build some protection against it. Then, if the person is exposed to the real monkeypox virus later, the immune system remembers it and prevents the infection."

That red, raised bump on your arm after receiving the vaccination is perfectly normal. It's not permanent and should go away after several weeks.

The shallow injection of the vaccine causes a wheal, which looks like a small bubble and gradually fades. Providers are giving the monkeypox vaccine intradermally (between the skin) rather than subcutaneously (into fatty tissues) to increase supply. Intradermal injection has increased the vaccine supply fivefold.

"We place a small amount of vaccine right under the top layer of the skin, which causes a wheal kind of like a little bubble," says Regan. "It can be irritating and itchy and sometimes causes bruising, but this is minor and temporary." Other common vaccine side effects include tiredness and headache.

The monkeypox vaccine causes a red, raised bump called a wheal. A wheal shouldn't leave a scar, but it can feel itchy.

In most cases, you can get a JYNNEOS vaccine at the same time you get other vaccines, except the COVID-19 vaccine. If you get the JYNNEOS vaccine, wait four weeks before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Yes, the monkeypox vaccine JYNNEOS is free. The federal government is currently distributing the vaccine.

Yes, the vaccine can prevent monkeypox or lessen the severity of your disease if you get vaccinated soon after a known exposure. Ideally, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible ideally within four days, but it can be given up to 14 days after exposure.

You can also get the vaccine before exposure as a preventive step if you're eligible.

JYNNEOS is safe for people with eczema. ACAM2000, a vaccine that is approved for smallpox and available for the prevention of monkeypox under an Expanded Access Investigational New Drug protocol, is a live virus vaccine that is not safe for people with eczema and some other conditions.

"JYNNEOS is the primary vaccine being administered for the current monkeypox outbreak in the United States," says Regan. "ACAM2000 is an alternative vaccine that contains a live replicating virus called vaccinia. It can spread to other parts of your body and other people, so you have to be extra cautious caring for the vaccine injection site."

The ACAM2000 vaccine is not safe for people with these conditions:


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8 monkeypox vaccine questions and where to get it - Nebraska Medicine