Monkeypox in Hudson County and Where to Get the Vaccine

Hudson County has had at least 67 reported cases of monkeypox as of Friday, the most of all New Jersey counties. Thursday, The US Department of Health and Human Services declared the monkeypox outbreak a national Public Health Emergency. 

The declaration gives the Biden administration more adaptability and power to prevent the spread of the viral disease. The powers could, among other things, allow the administration to utilize more federal funds to respond to the surge in cases.

The only vaccine license in the United States that is approved for the prevention of monkeypox is JYNNEOS. It is licensed as a two-dose product, with the second dose being administered after 28 days.

The CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and those who are more likely to get infected, including:

• People who have been identified by public health officials as in contact with someone with monkeypox
• People who know one of their sexual partners in the past two 2 weeks have been diagnosed with monkeypox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known monkeypox

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), men who have sex with men are currently the group at the highest risk of infection. 95% of transmission is suspected to have occurred through sexual activity. 94% of monkeypox cases occurred in men who had male-to-male sexual or close intimate contact during the 3 weeks before symptoms onset, according to a CDC report.

North Hudson Community Action Corporation has received 1,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine (JYNNEOS). Registration is available through https://nhcac.org/northhudsonmonkeypox/. Walk-ins are also accepted with onsite registration.

North Hudson Community Action Corporation will have monkeypox vaccination sites from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, August 8 through August 11, 2022, at the North Hudson campus of Hudson County Community College, 4800 Kennedy Boulevard, Union City, and the Journal Square Campus at 70 Sip Avenue, Jersey City.

Vaccinations will also be available at the East Newark Recreation Center Wednesday and Thursday, August 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at the Kearny Health Department Friday, August 12, from 1 to 6 p.m.

The privacy of all registrants and vaccine recipients will be protected, but applicants must provide a photo ID. There will be no charge to recipients for the vaccine.