WASHINGTON, DC — Today, DC Health announced an increase in the eligibility of the monkeypox vaccine to align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) prevention strategy and due to the increase in cases of monkeypox. DC Health reports that there are currently 321 cases of monkeypox in the District, representing the highest number of cases per capita in the United States.
New eligibility criteria for immunization include District residents, individuals employed in the District, students enrolled at District universities/colleges, and individuals affiliated with DC Health Programs who receive health services in DC, and 18 years of age or older, who meet one of the following:
The new eligibility criteria is in line with the current CDC guidelines and will go into effect on Saturday, August 13. Starting Saturday, August 13, people will be able to pre-register under the new guidelines; until then, the registration portal at PreventMonkeypox.dc.gov will be down for maintenance.
Monkeypox is a disease that can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with infectious fleas, fleas, or body fluids. It can be spread during close contact between people, including sex, kissing, and hugging. It can also be spread by respiratory obstruction during prolonged contact when a person touches fabrics, such as bedding and towels, used by a person who has the monkey.
The first symptoms of monkeypox usually include flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by rashes and sores on the skin. Although the majority of cases do not require hospitalization, monkeypox is dangerous, highly contagious, and unstable. Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their health care provider about whether they should be tested, even if they don’t think they’ve had contact with someone with monkeypox.
Residents are encouraged to visit PreventMonkeypox.dc.gov for the latest information on the virus.
