CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Monkeypox vaccine appointments are full in Mecklenburg County, officials announced Wednesday just hours after the appointments were made available.
County officials said they are working with NCDHHS to get more vaccines and anticipate more as soon as next week.
"We will notify residents of additional appointment availability as soon as it is available. In the interim, individuals can sign up on the appointment waitlist and will receive priority for the next available appointments," officials said.
Limited doses of the monkeypox vaccine have been available in North Carolina, the NC Department of Health and Human Services announced last week
Health officials said the federal government has allocated North Carolina 444 doses of Jynneos, a vaccine that can prevent illness or lead to less severe symptoms if given within two weeks after someone is exposed to monkeypox.
Monkeypox vaccines are free. Individuals who believe they are at high-risk can schedule an appointment online or by calling 704-336-6500.
Because of limited supply, vaccination is currently only being offered to individuals with known or suspected exposure to monkeypox. This includes:
- People who have been in close physical contact with someone diagnosed with monkeypox; and
- Men who have sex with men, or transgender individuals, who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days in either a venue where monkeypox was present or in an area where the virus is spreading.
Individuals who meet these criteria can call their local health department to make an appointment to receive the vaccine, or they can call one of the seven local health departments that have already received vaccines as part of the phase 1 allocation of Jynneos vaccine:
- Buncombe (828) 250-5300
- Durham (919) 560-9217
- Forsyth (336) 703-3100
- Mecklenburg (980) 314-9400
- New Hanover (910) 798-6800
- Pitt (252) 902-2300
- Wake (919) 250-4462
Monkeypox vaccines are free and are based on the availability of vaccine, which is in limited quantities currently.
RELATED: 2 cases of monkeypox confirmed in SC
"This is a good first step, but more vaccine is needed," Dr. Zack Moore, State Epidemiologist, said. "We are working with local health departments and other partners to ensure equitable access to those at risk as more doses become available over the coming months."
Monkeypox is transmitted from person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact, having contact with an infectious rash, through body fluids or through respiratory secretions. Such contact often occurs during prolonged, face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling or sex.
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