Massachusetts Public Health Officials Confirm 18 New Monkeypox Cases

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced 18 additional cases of monkeypox in adult males within the past seven days, bringing the total number of monkeypox cases in the Commonwealth to 49 residents since the state’s first case was announced May 18. DPH provides public updates on monkeypox on a weekly basis each Thursday.

The 18 cases had their diagnoses between July 7 and July 13 after testing was completed by the State Public Health Laboratory in Jamaica Plain. DPH is working with local health officials, the patients, and healthcare providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patients while they were infectious. Individuals with monkeypox are advised to isolate and avoid contact with others until they are no longer infectious.

DPH received its initial allocation of 2,004 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine on July 5 and immediately distributed the vaccine to four healthcare providers that were seeing the highest volume of patients reporting exposure or likely exposure to monkeypox. The number of healthcare providers and locations offering vaccination across the state is expanding as federal allocation of the vaccine increases.

Due to extremely limited national availability of vaccine, the JYNNEOS vaccine in Massachusetts remains severely limited at this time. Vaccination is available to individuals who meet the CDC’s eligibility criteria and who live or work in Massachusetts. Vaccine is prioritized for individuals at greatest risk of exposure to someone with monkeypox. If an individual believes they qualify for a monkeypox vaccine, they should contact their healthcare provider.