NORTH GEORGIA HEALTH DISTRICT

Healthy people, families, and communities.

MONKEYPOX

 

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MONKEYPOX VACCINE AND TESTING ARE AVAILABLE IN NORTH GEORGIA

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MONKEYPOX VACCINE

 

DPH Monkeypox Updates
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Monkeypox vaccination appointment registration is now ONLINE!

Monkeypox vaccine appointment registration has now gone online in Georgia! The monkeypox vaccines are available through public health at no cost to the individual. However, due to a limited number of doses, the vaccines are only available by appointment, depending on supply, and only for people who are currently eligible for the vaccine.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligibility for vaccination is prioritized for people aged 18 and older who are at high risk of infection, including people who are:

  • A contact to a monkeypox case identified in the last 14 days by public health via case investigation
  • HIV positive and have multiple sex partners
  • A man who has sex with men (MSM) and having multiple sex partners
  • A PrEP patient and having multiple sex partners

ONLINE APPOINTMENT REGISTRATION

If you meet the eligibility criteria for monkeypox vaccination, you can now click on the red button below to register ONLINE for an available appointment at one of two locations in the North Georgia Health District or at other public health monkeypox vaccination sites in Georgia.

The North Georgia Health District monkeypox vaccination sites are:

  • Cherokee County Health Department Woodstock Health Center, 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188
  • Whitfield County Health Department, 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720

Appointments for Monkeypox Vaccination

 

You may also call the Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line at (888) 457-0186.Monkeypox_Vaccine.png

Feel free to click on our Attestation for Administration of a JynneosTM Monkeypox Vaccine form to download and complete the form prior to your appointment.

Please note that "Walk-ins" will NOT be vaccinated upon arrival at the Cherokee and Whitfield County Health Departments. You must have an appointment to receive a monkeypox vaccination at these locations.

WHEN APPOINTMENTS ARE FULL

Vaccine supply is extremely limited across the U.S. Currently, states are awaiting additional allocations from our federal partners. At this time, the Woodstock Health Center and the Whitfield County Health Department are the only monkeypox vaccination locations in our health district, and they do not have general vaccine availability. As these and other monkeypox vaccination sites in Georgia receive vaccines, more appointments will be available as vaccine supply increases.

JYNNEOS MONKEYPOX VACCINE

JYNNEOS Monkeypox Vaccine is administered at our monkeypox vaccination sites. 

  • JYNNEOS vaccine is a two-dose series administered four weeks apart.
  • JYNNEOS contains a live virus that does not replicate efficiently in human cells.
  • The immune response takes 2 weeks after the second dose for maximal development.
  • The effectiveness of JYNNEOS against monkeypox is supported by animal studies.
  • Adverse reactions to the vaccine include injection site reactions such as pain, swelling, and redness.
  • Additional JYNNEOS information is available at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/smallpox-monkeypox.pdf.

CDC Monkeypox Vaccine Recommendations

  • The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and prioritizing monkeypox vaccine for individuals at high risk of infection (see more details above under ELIGIBILITY for each of the following groups), including:
    • People who are close personal contacts of people with monkeypox,
    • Individuals who may have been exposed to monkeypox,
    • People who have increased risk of being exposed to the virus such as lab workers.
  • Individuals are urged to speak with their healthcare provider if they are in one of these groups.
  • Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider, even if they don’t think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox.
  • A person who is sick with monkeypox should isolate at home. If they have an active rash or other symptoms, they should be in a separate room or area from other family members and pets when possible.

MONKEYPOX TESTING 

If you believe you may have monkeypox and want to be tested, first isolate at home away from others, and call your medical provider. Call before visiting your provider and let them know you have signs and symptoms of monkeypox.

Monkeypox test

Monkeypox testing is available at no cost to individuals by appointment only at our Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield County Health Departments. Please do not arrive at the health department for testing without a pre-registered appointment. Click on the name of your county to find the phone number to call to register for testing only IF you have a SKIN LESION or RASH - swab samples must be taken from a lesion for testing.

Signs or Symptoms of Monkeypox

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and backache
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Chills
  • Exhaustion
  • Respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
  • A rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus but could also be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.
    • The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
    • The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

If you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms or have tested positive for monkeypox, please click on DPH: Monkeypox Home Isolation Guidance - English or DPH: Monkeypox Home Isolation Guidance - Español.

 

 

Monkeypox Outbreak

  • Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses that causes smallpox.
  • Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.
  • Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
  • People with monkeypox in the current outbreak generally report having close, sustained physical contact with other people who have monkeypox.
  • While many of those affected in the current global outbreaks are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox can get the illness.
  • Log onto the CDC's updated 2022 Monkeypox Outbreak Global Map.

Monkeypox Cases in Georgia

Currently:

  • The majority of cases are in metro Atlanta men
  • The majority of the cases identify as men who have sex with men and have had a close intimate contact in the 21 days prior to their symptom onset
  • Go to the CDC's 2022 U.S. Map & Case Count tool to see the latest number of monkeypox cases in Georgia and in other states.

Monkeypox Transmission

Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through: 

  • Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids
  • Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, kissing or cuddling
  • Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids
  • Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed
  • The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks
  • People who do not have monkeypox symptoms cannot spread the virus to others

 See DPH Article: Monkeypox Transmission in Public Settings  - Aug. 9, 2022

Monkeypox Prevention

Things you can do to protect yourself from getting monkeypox are to

  • Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox
  • Avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating or touching your face and after using the bathroom.

Monkeypox Exposure

If you are concerned about being exposed to monkeypox or concerned you may have monkeypox, please see the CDC links below for information about monkeypox signs and symptoms, or call us for more help regarding monkeypox at (706) 529-5757.

Please see these links below for more information about monkeypox signs and symptoms, how it spreads, and how to prevent monkeypox.

Other Monkeypox Resources:

Monkeypox Facts — Signs/Symptoms/How it spreads (PDF) — Spanish

CDC: Monkeypox Signs and Symptoms

CDC: How Monkeypox Spreads

CDC: Monkeypox Prevention

DPH: Monkeypox Home Isolation Guidance - English

DPH: Monkeypox Home Isolation Guidance - Español

NGHD Info: Learn more about HIV and other STI prevention on our website!