Young Kids At Higher Monkeypox Risk: 4 Things NJ Should Know About The Disease – Patch

NEW JERSEY — Younger children may carry greater risks than most if they get monkeypox, according to state officials. Children younger than 8 “may be more likely to get seriously ill or die,” the New Jersey Department of Health said Thursday.

Monkeypox cases during the multinational outbreak — first detected in May — have rarely been fatal. More than 99 percent of people survive after getting the West African strain of the virus, which has spread to the United States, according to the CDC.

But the nation’s current vaccine supply doesn’t meet the outbreak’s demand, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. So the agency took action Tuesday to allow health care providers to reduce dosage, while also making children eligible for vaccination.

With a global outbreak and knowledge of the disease quickly evolving, here are four things New Jerseyans should know about monkeypox.

1. It’s potentially serious in children.

The virus spreads to children in the same ways it infects adults: through contact with the rash, respiratory droplets and by touching contaminated objects such as towels, clothing and bedding, according to the state health department.

Data is lacking on serious complications in children, but the CDC continues to monitor for this information, according to state officials. The FDA, however, granted emergency-use authorization for minors to receive the the JYNNEOS vaccine, concluding that “circumstances (of the outbreak) exist justifying the emergency use of vaccines.”

The FDA edict came days after a daycare employee in Illinois tested positive for monkeypox, potentially exposing children. It’s unclear how much the incident impacted the federal agency’s decision to expand vaccine eligibility. But the White House worked that afternoon to expedite vaccines to potentially exposed individuals and completed the paperwork necessary for children to receive the vaccines.

There have been no additional cases linked to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District’s daycare in Illinois as of Friday.

2. Wider vaccine eligibility, more clinics.

New Jersey expanded vaccine eligibility. The following individuals can qualify for monkeypox vaccination:

  • People who have known contact with someone who tested positive for orthopoxvirus or monkeypox virus within the past 14 days (contact your local health department to coordinate vaccination).
  • People who attended an event where known monkeypox exposure occurred within the past 14 days (make an appointment at a vaccine location).
  • People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days in areas where monkeypox has been reported. (make an appointment at a vaccine location).

The state says it will continue to expand vaccination eligibility as federal officials send additional supply.

New Jersey added four vaccination sites, bringing the state of to nine places providing monkeypox vaccinations. Appointments are required at all sites. See the list of vaccine clinics here.

3. New Jersey hits 300 cases, while the U.S. surpassed 10K.

The state reported 305 confirmed and probable monkeypox cases as of noon Friday. Northeast New Jersey has the most cases, with 92 in Hudson County, 60 in Essex County, 31 in Union County and 30 in Bergen County. These counties are close to New York City, which surpassed 2,000 cases Thursday.

Five counties (Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Salem and Cape May) have not reported a monkeypox case as of Friday afternoon.

(New Jersey Department of Health)

Meanwhile, the national tally hit 10,768, according to the CDC. (State and local case counts often vary from the CDC’s figures because of different reporting timeframes.)

The U.S. has about a third of the caseload from the outbreak that has infected 31,799 people in 89 nations. But the nation hasn’t reported any monkeypox deaths as of Friday afternoon. The outbreak has been linked to 12 deaths worldwide, according to the CDC.

4. Feds adjust their dosing strategy.

With the monkeypox vaccine in short supply, the FDA authorized a new vaccination strategy Tuesday that only requires a fifth of the full dose for each person. The decision allows the JYNNEOS vaccine — approved for monkeypox and smallpox — to get administered between layered skin rather than into the fat.

Those receiving the vaccine still need two doses though — 28 days apart.

The vaccine was originally developed as an alternative for immunocompromised inidividuals in the event of a smallpox outbreak. Previous smallpox vaccination provides protection, but it might not last a lifetime, according to the state health department. Several people previously vaccinated against smallpox have caught monkeypox during the current outbreak and the 2003 outbreak.

Find more information on the state health department’s monkeypox webpage.