Greene County Public Health is providing Monkeypox vaccines to those in Ohio who are most at-risk of contracting the viral illness, according to a release from public health officials.
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Vaccine appointments will be held at the Greene County Public Health (GCPH) clinic in Xenia at 360 Wilson Dr.
With a limited number of lynneos vaccinations available nationwide, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is providing a limited amount of the vaccine to those across the state, the spokesperson said.
ODH is focusing on Ohio residents who are at least 18-years-old at the highest risk of contracting the virus and fall into these categories:
- Men who have sex with men, transgender or gender non-conforming who are HIV positive, had a sexually transmitted infection in the last 12 months, had multiple sexual partners or attended a sex party in the last two weeks.
- Anyone who exchanges sex for money, goods or services.
If an individual falls into one of those categories, they can fill out the form here.
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As vaccines become available, people will be contacted by GCPH to schedule an appointment at their clinic.
Close contacts of individuals with Monkeypox will be notified by Public Health and monitored for symptoms, the release said.
An additional supply of the vaccine is reserved for individuals who came in close contact with an infected person to prevent the virus or decrease the symptoms.
Monkeypox will typically begin with flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that may resemble pimples or blisters, health officials said.
The virus can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed, usually lasting two to four weeks, according to the release.
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The virus is transferred through direct person-to-person contact such as:
- Contact with the infectious rash, scabs or bodily fluids.
- Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex.
- Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.
- Touching items that have touched the infection, such as clothing.
- Through infected animals by either being scratched or bitten by the animal.
- Eating meat or using products from an infected animal.
People who do not have Monkeypox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others and the risk to the public is low at this time, according to public health officials.
To learn more about Monkeypox or to complete the vaccine screening questionnaire, visit Greene County Public Health’s website here.
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