Here's How to Get the Monkeypox Vaccine in Cincinnati and Hamilton County

Cincinnatians can finally get the monkeypox vaccine, but only under certain circumstances – at least for now.

Officials from the Cincinnati Health Department and Hamilton County Public Health announced Aug. 8 that both agencies have a limited supply of the vaccine. Both say the vaccines will be limited to those with high-risk health issues.

"Similar to the way COVID vaccines were administered at the outset of the pandemic, we will use the risk tiers published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a risk profile for people desiring vaccine," Dr. Grant Mussman, interim health commissioner for Cincinnati says in a press release. "We will then contact those eligible to coordinate vaccination."

To demonstrate need and obtain the vaccine, residents must complete a risk assessment on Cincinnati's or Hamilton County's websites. The departments then will coordinate directly with the patient for vaccine administration.

The registration system is a change from earlier in August when Mussmann and other health officials said that Cincinnati-area residents first would need to confirm with a healthcare provider that they have monkeypox. That provider then would obtain the monkeypox vaccine from local, state or national health officials for the patient.

"We’re asking people to be patient while we develop our risk analyses and determine vaccination eligibility," says Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County health commissioner. "With vaccine in limited supply, it’s important that we get to the most vulnerable populations. The CDC has developed risk tiers that we will be following to administer vaccine."

In addition, there are a number of locations and options for those who are uninsured, under-insured or on Medicaid to obtain care and the vaccine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted its approval for the Jynneos vaccine – which is produced in Denmark – back in 2019 specifically to boost immunity against monkeypox. It's administered through two injections that are 28 days apart. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that it is available to people 18 years old and up and is prioritized for people who are immunocompromised or are at high risk in other ways. People below age 18 will be considered for the vaccine after obtaining emergency authorization.

ACAM2000, a vaccine that was approved by the FDA in 2007, was developed for use against smallpox. Because monkeypox is in the same virus family as smallpox, the CDC says that a version of this vaccine can be used against monkeypox. It may cause more side effects, though, which is why those in high-risk groups should get the Jynneos vaccine instead. ACAM2000 is safe for other people, the CDC says.
The joint press release from Cincinnati and Hamilton County does not specify which vaccine it will make available to residents. A story by The Conversation says that only "military personnel and laboratory researchers" are receiving the ACAM2000 vaccine.