The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has expanded vaccine eligibility for the monkeypox virus to include “any man who has sex with men [MSM] and any person receiving HIV prep[an HIV preventative medicine],” DHEC Medical Consultant Jonathon Knoche said in a monkeypox press conference last Wednesday.
The DHEC website states the vaccine eligibility includes gay or bisexual men as well as transgender or gender non-conforming individuals.
Knoche said the criteria expansion for vaccine eligibility will help protect South Carolinians who are at high risk of exposure and help limit the spread of the virus.
“Anyone who believes they’re in one of the high risk groups is encouraged to call the DHEC [South Carolina clinic] at 855-472-3432, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, or they can go online to scdf.gov to use our web chat feature to determine whether they’re eligible to schedule a vaccine appointment at a health department,” Knoche said.
Monkeypox is a viral disease in the same family as smallpox that manifests on infected individuals as deep-seated, painful lesions that primarily transmits through direct skin-to-skin contact with other individuals. The disease can also infect others less commonly through respiratory secretions and contaminated personal items like clothing.
The lesions can remain on an infected person’s body for up to two to four weeks until they become itchy scabs and fall off.
Individuals who suspect they have been infected should isolate and take a medical test to confirm whether they have contracted the disease. Commercial travel during isolation should not occur, but private transportation is acceptable, according to Knoche.
Close contacts are not required to quarantine at this time, but should be educated on monkeypox symptoms and be tested if they begin to develop a rash.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website reports 56,609 cases of monkeypox infections globally while the U.S. leads with the most infections at 21,504 as of Sept. 9, 2022. Knoche said there have been 120 confirmed cases in South Carolina.
There have been 15 total cases of monkeypox related deaths worldwide with one possibly recorded in Texas last week, according to Knoche. He said the Texan individual’s cause of death is still awaiting autopsy confirmation.
