Health Advisory

Summary

• In Virginia, eligibility for monkeypox vaccine has recently been expanded to include all individuals, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, who have had anonymous or multiple (more than 1) sexual partners in the last 2 weeks. See full eligibility criteria in the suggested actions section, below.
• Fairfax Health District residents can now screen for vaccine eligibility and schedule an appointment fully online without needing to talk with someone at the call center. Initial screening is through the following interest survey. Call center staff (703-267-3511) still are available for questions and assistance with screening and scheduling.

Suggested Actions

• Be aware of the new monkeypox vaccine eligibility criteria in Virginia to answer patients’ questions and provide information. Whereas prior eligibility criteria focused on men who have sex with other men, the current criteria for expanded post exposure prophylaxis include individuals who identify with any of the following groups within the last 14 days:
  • All people, of any sexual orientation or gender, who have had anonymous or multiple (more than 1) sexual partners in the last 2 weeks; or
  • Sex workers (of any sexual orientation or gender); or
  • Staff (of any sexual orientation or gender) at establishments where sexual activity occurs (bathhouses, saunas, sex clubs).
• Advise patients who meet the criteria above, or who have reported recent contact to a confirmed monkeypox case, to reach out to their local health department to confirm eligibility and schedule vaccination. Fairfax Health District residents can complete an online interest survey for screening and, if eligible will receive an invitation to schedule vaccination. Screening and scheduling also can be done by contacting the Health Department call center at 703-267-3511.

Additional Information

• Monkeypox infections continue to increase in Northern Virginia and nationwide. Up to date Virginia case counts can be found on the VDH website.
• Following an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and CDC recommendation, monkeypox vaccine is being administered by the Health Department using the intradermal route rather than subcutaneously. This decreases the volume administered from 0.5 ml to 0.1 ml, expanding the number of available doses. This enables public health to continue expanding vaccination efforts to individuals who are at higher risk of exposure and infection. Up to date Virginia vaccinations numbers can be found on the VDH website.
• Monkeypox is an immediately reportable disease. All suspect cases (any case in which testing was conducted) must be reported to public health via VDH’s disease reporting portal.
• Patients who are being tested and do not require hospitalization should be isolated at home pending test results. Public health will follow-up with individuals who are confirmed by laboratory testing to provide appropriate isolation guidance.
• Contact the Health Department’s Communicable Disease/Epidemiology Program at 703-246-2433 (normal business hours) or 703-409-8449 (evenings and weekends) for consultation and guidance on testing, infection control measures, and treatment (TPOXX).