Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas – The City of El Paso Public Health is reporting a fourth Monkeypox case and is announcing the expansion of its administration of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine to high-risk individuals 18 and older.
ABOUT THE VACCINES
Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, October 19, the City’s Department of Public Health will be administering the monkeypox vaccine by appointment only at the City’s Community Clinic located at 9341 Alameda. Residents can call the appointment line at (915) 212-6843. Clinic hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“This is a positive step in preventing monkeypox disease in our high-risk populations,” said City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza. “Immunization is vital to keep our vulnerable community members safe from contracting monkeypox. But prevention is also part of the foundation to stop the spread of this disease.”
The JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine is approved and recommended by CDC for individuals 18 years of age and older at high risk for monkeypox infection. In addition, the vaccine is approved for children and adolescents less than 18 years of age with known exposure or concern of monkeypox virus infection. JYNNEOS vaccine is a series of 2 doses administered 28 days (4 weeks) apart. Peak immunity is expected to be reached 14 days after the second dose of the vaccine.
ABOUT THE FOURTH CASE
A male in his 30s is the community’s fourth confirmed Monkeypox case and is currently recovering at home. The City’s epidemiology team has begun an investigation and contact tracing. The epidemiology team is working to identify those having close contact and will offer the vaccine to those individuals.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus and is not related to chickenpox. The monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Symptoms are similar to those of smallpox but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.
The hallmark sign of Monkeypox is the rash. Other signs and symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus and people may experience flu-like symptoms, and then they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later. The rash can look like pimples or blisters that can be very painful and may appear anywhere on the body.
Other signs and symptoms of Monkeypox include:
· Fever
· Swollen glands
· Headache
· Muscle aches and backache
· Chills
· Exhaustion
For additional information about the monkeypox vaccine and prevention, visit EPHealth.com under the Monkeypox tab.
